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GENEALOGY
941.5
R81SJ,
1899
(
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[Frontispiece.
THE RIGHT HON. O'CONOIt DON, P.C., L.L.D., M.B.I.A.,
(Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum of Co. Roscommon.)
President of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 1897-1899.
Honorary President, 1900.
THE JOURNAL
OF THE
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES
OF IRELAND
FORMERLY
&ty Eogal historical anti archaeological Association
OF IRELAND
FOUNDED, IN 1849, AS
&{je Mftenng archaeological Society
VOL. IX.— FIFTH SERIES
VOL. XXIX. — CONSECUTIVE SERIES
1899
DUBLIN
PRINTED AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS
FOB, THE SOCIETY
BY PONSONBY AND WELDRICK
1899
[all rights reserved]
The Council wish it to be distinctly understood that they do
not hold themselves responsible for the statements and opinions
contained in the Papers read at the Meetings of the Society,
and here printed, except as far as No. 26 of the General Rules
of the Society extends.
PREFACE.
rpHE Papers and Proceedings .of the Royal Society
J- of Antiquaries of Ireland now placed in the hands
of the Fellows and Members, form the Ninth Volume
of the Fifth Series of The Journal (Volume Twenty-
nine of the Consecutive Series). It will be found equal
to any of the previous Volumes as regards the interest-
ing variety of its contents, and the importance of the
subjects discussed.
The principal feature of the Volume is, no doubt,
the full account of the places visited by the Society
in the Islands off the West Coast of Scotland, the
Orkneys and Caithness, in the month of June, 1899 ;
this forms a valuable and instructive chapter for the
Irish Student in Comparative Archaeology.
Of the five Celtic nationalities, the Society has still
to visit Brittany and the Isle of Man to complete the
Series, and by so doing, place on record the distinctive
characteristics of the existing Antiquarian remains still
to be seen in these countries.
In the Prehistoric Section, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Westropp,
and Col. Edgar Layard contribute careful Papers on
Caherconree, Co. Kerry, the Dolmens and Stone Forts
of the Burren, Co. Clare, and the Stone Lake Dwellings
a2
iv PEEFACE.
on Lough Cullen, Co. Mayo. The interest in Ogamic
literature is well sustained by the valuable Paper of
Professor Rhys, giving the results of a careful exami-
nation and reading of the stones forming the Drum-
loghan Cave. Mr. Macalister also contributes Notes on
the disputed point of there being a Cryptic element in
these inscriptions.
Of early ecclesiastical foundations, the short Paper
on Kilmakilloge, Co. Kerry, by Miss Hickson, and the
exhaustive notice of the Termon of Durrow, by the
E-ev. De Courcy Williams, show much careful study.
Mr. Drew's Note on the Surroundings of St. Patrick de
Insula, and the account of Grey Abbey, Co. Down, by
Mr. Phillips, deal with later periods of the subject.
The Round Towers of Armoy and Drumbo are
described and illustrated, and the first part of a valuable
Paper, by Dr. Macnamara, on the Cross of Dysert O'Dea
has been published. Lord Walter Fitz Gerald gives an
interesting account of a small Holed Cross at Moone,
abounding in symbols of a possibly pre-Christian period.
In Folklore the notes from the Rennes copy of the
Dindsenchas will be found of interest to the students of
this subject; and Mr. Ball's Papers on the Residents of
Monkstown, as well as the two short Papers by the late
Rev. Dr. Stokes on "Swiftiana" and Moira House, afford
interesting studies of social life in recent times.
In Ecclesiology Mr. Buckley contributes some
notes of much interest, and Mr. Robertson describes
the Archer Chalice.
Sir Thomas Grattan Esmonde writes about the
PREFACE.
V
antiquities in his own immediate neighbourhood, and
his contribution shows what a busy man can do for
Archaeology when imbued with a desire to assist.
Amongst the Fellows and Members lost to the
Society by death, during the past year, must be men-
tioned the following contributors to our Journal: —
The Right Rev. Charles Graves, Bishop of Limerick,
Ardfert, and Aghadoe, was born in Dublin the 6th of
November, 1812. He was the youngest son of J. Crosbie
Graves, Esq. Entering Trinity College in 1829, he
obtained Scholarship in 1832, and graduated in 1835.
He took the M.A. in 1838, and D.D. in 1851. In 1836
he was elected a Fellow of Trinity College, and was
co-opted a Senior Fellow in 1862. From 1843 to 1862
he held the Professorship of Mathematics. He was
Dean of the Chapel Royal from 1860 to 1866; Dean of
Clonfert from 1864 to 1866. In 1866 he was consecrated
Bishop of the United Dioceses of Limerick, Ardfert,
and Aghadoe. He departed this life in Dublin,
July, 1899. Elected a Member of the Royal Irish
Academy in 1837, he was Secretary to its Council
in 1848; Secretary to the Academy in 1856; and
was President in 1861. He became a Member of the
Kilkenny Archaeological Society in 1850, the year after
it was founded, held the office of Vice-President, and
was a Fellow of our Society at the time of his death.
Distinguished as a Mathematician, his first contributions
to the Proceedings of the Academy were on Mathematical
subjects, but he read a Paper on the Age of the "Book
of Armagh" in 1846, and he commenced what proved a
PREFACE.
long series of Communications to its Transactions and
Proceedings on Ogam characters in 1847. His first
Paper in our Journal appears in Volume I., on p. 305,
"On the Age of Ogam Writing," and he was an
occasional contributor until 1890.
William Frazer, who died 16th of April of the
present year, was born in 1824, he was the son of a
Dublin merchant descended from a Scottish family.
In 1848 he became a Licentiate of the Royal College of
Surgeons, Ireland, and in 1872 was elected a Fellow.
He also acted as one of its Examiners, and was a
Member of Council. He was elected a Member of the
Royal Irish Academy in 1866; a Member of Council in
1881 ; and, at the time of his death, he held the office
of Librarian.
His connexion with the Royal Society of Antiquaries
of Ireland commenced in 1887, when he was elected a
Member ; he became a Fellow in 1892, and a Vice-
President in 1895. The Society of Antiquaries of
Scotland elected him an Honorary Fellow in succession
to the late Bishop Reeves.
As an antiquarian writer, Dr. Frazer was prolific
and versatile ; his contributions to the Proceedings
of the Royal Irish Academy number thirty, and his
contributions to the Journal of the Royal Society of
Antiquaries number twenty-four, extending over the
period from 1890 to the time of his death.
Miss Hickson, whose demise occurred early in the
present year, was one of the Local Secretaries for her
native County of Kerry. She became a Member of
PEEFACE.
vii
this Society in 1879, and continued a contributor from
that year to the time of her death.
Her first Paper was on the " Fitzgibbon Pedigree/ 7
which appeared in Vol. XIV. (Consecutive Series), and
in the following volume a note on " Castle Ishen "
appeared, followed by ' 1 Notes on Kerry Topography,
Ancient and Modern," which commenced in Vol. XV.,
and ran through the Vols. XVI., XVII., XVIIL, and
XIX. Further communications from her pen relating
to that County appeared in each succeeding Volume,
and her last contribution was a Paper on " Kilmakilloge,
in the County of Kerry." It appears in the Journal for
the present year, and was published after her death.
30th December, 1899.
CONTENTS.
VOLUME IX., FIFTH SERIES.
VOLUME XXIX., CONSECUTIVE SERIES.
1899.
PART I.
PAPERS :
PAGE
A further Note on the Surroundings of Saint Patrick's De Insula, Dublin.
Eestoration of the North Close, 1899. The Possibility of Recovery of the
Ancient Well of Saint Patrick. By Thomas Drew, R.H.A., Vice-President
(Two Illustrations), . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Caherconree, County Kerry. By P. J. Lynch, Fellow, Hon. Provincial Secretary,
Munster (Two Plates and Two Illustrations), .. .„ .. 5
Kilmakilloge, County Kerry. By Miss Hickson, Hon. Local Secretary, Kerry, 18
Notes -and Folklore from-the Rennes Copy of the " Dindsenchas." By T. J.
Westropp, M.A., M.R.I.A., Fellow, . . .. .. ..21
Notes referring to the Archer Chalice. By James G. Robertson, Hon. Fellow
(Two Plates and Three Illustrations), . . . . . . . . 28
On a Fortified Stone Lake-Dwelling on an Island in Lough Cullen, County
Mayo. By Edgar L. Layard, CM. G. (One Plate), .. .. ..32
On "Patrick's Crosses." By Dr. William Frazer, M.R.I. A., Fellow, Hon.
F.S. A. (Scot.) (Five Illustrations), .. .. .. .. ..35
The Termon of Durrow. By the Rev. Sterling de Courey Williams, M.A.
(Three Plates and One Illustration), . . . . . . 44
The Cryptic Element alleged to exist in Ogham Inscriptions. By R. A. Stewart
Macalister, M.A., .. .. .. .. .. ..52
The Irish Channel and Dublin in 1735. Extracts from the Diary of William
Bulkely, of Bryndda, near Amlwch, Anglesey, a Grand Juror of that
County. Communicated by H. A. Cosgrave, M.A., .. .. .. 56
Miscellanea — Report on the Photographic Survey Collection — Tobernahalthora,
near Louisberg — Kilelton in Glenfas — Tihilly, Parish of Durrow, King's
County (One Illustration) — Dun Aenghus, Aran — Rathmichael— Earth-
work Fort or Rath in County Longford — Monasterboice Cross — The Cross
of Monasterboice — Monasterboice Great Cross, . . . . . . 61
Notices of Books, . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
PROCEEDINGS :
Annual General Meeting, Dublin, 17th January, 1899, .. .. .. 80
Evening Meetings, . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
X
CONTENTS.
PART II.
PAPERS :
PAGE
Descriptive Sketch of Clondalkin, Tallaght, and other places in West County
Dublin. By F. Elrington Ball, M.B.I. A., Fellow (Four Illustrations), . . 93
The Mace of the Ancient Corporation of Athenry, County Galway. By W. F.
Wakeman, Hon. Fellow (One Illustration), .. .. .. ..109
Swiftiana. By the late Rev. G. T. Stokes, D.D., M.R.I. A. (One Illustration), 111
Moira House. By the late Rev. G. T. Stokes, D.D., M.R.I. A. (One Illustra-
tion), .. .. .. .. .. .. ..113
The Monuments of Clonmacnoise. By R. A. Stewart Macalister, M.A.
116
Miscellanea — Annoy Round Tower, Co. Antrim (Four Illustrations) — The
Gallan near Saggart— Chess in Ireland — Tobernahalthora and Tobergrania
— Photographic, Survey, . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
PROCEEDINGS:
Second General Meeting, Dublin, 12th April, 1899,
Evening Meeting, 12th April, 1899,
Scottish Archaeological Tour of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland
conjunction with the Cambrian Archaeological Association,
Bibliography of the Western Islands of Scotland, . . . .
Introductory (Three Illustrations),
Section I. Sanda and Kildalton (Eight Illustrations),
II. Oronsay, lona, and Tiree (Twenty-one Illustrations),
III. Canna, Dunvegan, and Rodil (Twenty Illustrations),
129
133
134
144
147
151
161
198
PART III.
PAPERS :
The Termon of Durrow. By the Rev. Sterling de Courcy Williams, M.A.
(One Illustration), .. .. .. . . ' .. •• 219
Some Residents of Monkstown in the Eighteenth Century. By Francis
Ellington Ball, M.R.I. A., Fellow, ..
233
CONTENTS.
XI
PA.OB
The Ancient Stone Crosses of Ui-Fearmaic, County Clare (Part I.). By
Dr. George U. Macnamara, Hon. Local Secretary for North Clare
(Eight Illustrations), .. 7, .. .. ..244
Miscellanea — Bronze Caldron at Milkernagh Bog, near Granard, Co. Longford
(Two Illustrations) — Holy Well and Antiquities near Cahir, Co. Tipperary
(One Illustration) — " Chief Bents belonging to the ' Earle' of "Kildare in
the Manor of Adare " — A Cashel on Sliabh na Caillighe (One Illustration)
— Note on Sliabh na Caillighe (Five Illustrations) — " Chief Bent" a Bose
— Suidhe Mochuda Ogam Inscription, . . " . . . . . . 256
Notices of Books, . . . . . . . .' . . . . . . 263
PROCEEDINGS :
Scottish Archaeological Tour of the Boyal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland in
conjunction with the Cambrian Archaeological Association — Sections IV.-
VII. (Thirty-nine Illustrations) ; Supplementary, Parts I. and II. (Thirty-
eight Illustrations), . . . . . . , . . . 266-350
Third General Meeting, Belfast, 16th August, 1899, .. .. .. 351
Excursions — The "Giant's Bing" (Four Illustrations) — Drumbo Bound
Tower, Co. Down (Three Illustrations) — Grey Abbey (Four Illustrations)
Armagh, Newgrange, Dowth, &c, .. .. .. 353-366
PART IV.
PAPEBS :
Prehistoric Bemains in the Burren, County Clare. (Part II. — Kilcorney and
the Eastern Valleys.) By T. J. Westropp, M.A., M.B.I. A., Fellow
(Fourteen Illustrations), .. .. .. .. .. 367
On a Holed Cross at Moone. By Lord Walter Fitz Gerald, M.B.I. A. (Four
Illustrations), .... .. .. .. ..385
The Drumloghan Ogams. By Principal Bhys, LL.D., Hon. Fellow, . . 390
Notes on Crannog and other Finds in North County Wexford. By Sir Thomas
H. Grattan Esmonde, Bart., M. P. (Four Illustrations), .. ..404
The Minutes of the Presbytery of Laggan. By the Be v. William T. Latimer,
B.A., Fellow, .. .. .. .. .. .. ..407
Gold Plates and Discs found near Cloyne, County Cork. By Bobert Day,
J.P., F.S.A., Fellow (Three Illustrations), .. .. .. ..413
Xll
CONTENTS.
PAGE
The De Verdons of Louth. By W. H. Grattan Flood, .. .. ..417
Notes Ecclesiological. By M. J. C. Buckley, .. .. .. .. 420
Miscellanea — The Preservation and Custody of Local Records — Congress of the
Boyal Archaeological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland — Clonfert
Cathedral — The Cairan Ogam Stone — Throwing-stones or Hammer-stones (?)
(Two Illustrations) — Commonplace Book relating to Ireland — Ballynilard
Cross — Tombstone in Ardfert Friary — Blackstairs or Knock Branduff (?) —
Barry O'Meara, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 424
Notices of Books, .. .. .. .. .. .. ..433
PROCEEDINGS :
Fourth General Meeting, Dublin, 10th October, 1899, .. .. .. 437
Evening Meeting, 31st October, 1899, .. .. .. .. .. 438
„ 28th November, 1899, .. . . .. ..439
Corrigenda, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ib.
Index to Volume ix., 6th Series, . . . . . . . . . . 441
APPENDIX.
The Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, . . . . . . . . 2
Patrons, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
President, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Vice-Presidents, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Hon. Gen. Secretary, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Hon. Gen. Treasurer, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Council for 1899, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Hon. Curators, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Bankers, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Hon. Prov. Secretaries, .. .. .. .. .. .. 6
Hon. Local Secretaries, . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Fellows of the Society, ... . . . . . . . . . . 8
Hon. Fellows of the Society, . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Members of the Society, . . . . . . . . . . 16
Societies in Connection, . . . . . . . . . . 39
General Rules of the Society, .. .. .. .. .. ..41
LIST OF ILLUSTKATIONS.
An asterisk prefixed indicates a Plate.
PART I.
* Portrait of The Right Hon. O'Conor Don, President {Frontispiece).
PAGE.
St. Patrick's Cathedral (Malton's Views, 1793), South-East and West
Sides, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..2,3
*Cahirconree, Co. Kerry, View of "Wall, and General View from the North-
east, .. .. .. .. to face 10
,, ,, Plans of Fort and Eampart, and Elevation of Ram-
part, .. .. .. .. ,.13
,, ,, Sections of Rampart, .. .. .. ..14
* ,, ,, Remains of Entrance and Outside of Wall, to face 16
The Archer Chalice (1606), .. .. .. .. .. .. 28
*Rothe House, Kilkenny, Well in Courtyard, . . . . . . to face 30
* ,, ,, Front View in 1898, and Monograms of the Archers,
to face 31
*Lough Cullen, Co Mayo, Stone Lake-Dwelling (Three Views), . . to face 33
The Ornament on Upper Panel of the Shrine " Corp Naomh," . . . . 37
Sculptured Stone at Meigle, and Figure from St. Manchan's Shrine, . . 38
Circular Plates of Gold in the R.I. A. Collection, . . . . 39, 40
*Book of Durrow, Page of Interlaced Ornament, . . . . to face 44
* ,, „ First Page of St. Mark's Gospel, .. .. to face 46
*Portion of the Crozier of Durrow, .. .. .. .. to face 50
Seal of the Monastery of Durrow, . . . . . . . . 51
PAET II.
Drimnagh Castle, Co. Dublin (from Courtyard), . . . . . . 95
Tallaght, St. Maelruain's "Losset," Co. Dublin, .. .. .. 102
,, Chimney-piece, Old Bawn, .. .. .. .. ..104
Ratbiarnham Castle, Co. Dublin, .. .. .. .. ..107
Mace of the Ancient Corporation of Athenry, .. .. .. ..109
Autograph of Dean Swift, .. .. .. .. ..Ill
Moira House, City of Dublin, .. .. .. .. .. 113
Annoy Round Tower, Co. Antrim, .. .. .. .. ..121
Doorway, .. .. .. ..122
„ ,, „ Elevation, Section, and Plan, .. ..123
•,, „ Plan and Elevation of Doorway, .. 124
xiv LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Diagram Map of Voyage along "West Coast of Scotland, . . . . 147
The Steamship << Magic," .. .. .. .. .. ..148
St. Columba's Pillar-stone, Iona Cathedral, Scotland, . . . . . . 150
Map of Sanda Island, . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Sanda Island Cross, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
„ ,, Cross and "Window of St. Ninian's Church, . . . . . . 153
,, ,, Ground-plan .. .. .. 154
Islay, Map of South-eastern portion, . . . . . . . . . . 155
,, Kildalton Cross, East and West Faces, .. .. .. 158,159
Cokmsay and Oronsay, Map, . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Oronsay Priory, Plan, . . . . . . . . . . 164
,, East Window and Gable, .. .. .. .. 165
,, ,, Cloister Court, .. .. .. .. 166
„ High Cross, West Face, and East Face, . . . . 169, 170
,, Second Cross, .. .. .. .. .. 171
Priory, Tombstone in Chancel, .. .. .. ..173
Iona, the Nunnery — Plan, . . .. .. .. .. .. 176
,, ,, ,, View from North-west, .. .. .. .. 177
„ St. Oran's Chapel, Plan, . . . . . . . . . . 180
,, ,, ,, ,, West Doorway, .. .. .. .. 181
,, „ „ „ West End, .. .. ..182
,, ,, ,, ,, Monument, .. .. .. .. .. 183
,, Cathedral, Plan, . . .. . , .. .. 185
,, ,, from the West, and the Chancel, . . . . . . ib.
St. Martin's Cross, .. .. .. .. .. .. 187
Tiree and Coll, Map, . ' .. .. .. .. ..189
Soroby Cross, West Face, .. .. .. .. ..191
,, Kirkapoll, Grave Slab, .. .. .. ..193
,, Doorway, .. .. .. .. .. . . ib.
Canna, Map, .. .. .. .. .. .. ..198
,, High Cross, East Face and Side, .. .. .. .. 199
,, Cross and Fragments of Carving, .. .. .. .. 200
Dunvegan Castle, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 201
,, ,, in Fourteenth Century. In 1790, .. .. 202,203
Plan, .. .. .. .. ..204
,, Sea-gate, .. .. .. .. .. .. 205
Dunvegan Loch, Map, . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Drinking-horn, .. .. .. .. .. .. 210
Lewis and Harris, Map, . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Eodil, St. Clement's Church, .. .. .. .. .. ..214
,, Kecessed Tomb of Macleod of Dunvegan, 1528, and Effigy, . . 216, 217
PART III.
Map of the Termon of Durrow, . . . . . . . . 232
St. Tola's Cross, Dysert O'Dea, Co. Clare, North Side of Base, . . . . 247
,, ,, South and West Sides of Base, .. 248
,, ,, ,, North Side of Base, .. ..249
,, ,, ,, East Face and Panels, .. .. 250
„ ,, ,, North and South Sides of Shaft, 251
,, ,, ,, West Face of Shaft, .. ..252
,, ,, „ West Side of Head, .. ..253
Bronze Caldron from Milkernagh, Co. Longford, . . . . 256, 257
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
XV
PAGE
Holy Well, Tobar-Iosa, near Cahir, . . . . . . . . . . 258
Plan of Ballinvalley Cashel, Slie've na Caillighe, . . . . . . 259
Carved Stones in Cairns, ,, ,, .. .. .. 260,261
St. Flannan's Chapel, Eilean Mor, Scotland, . . . . . . . . 266
Plan of the Bothies of Macphaill's Sons, Eilean Mdr, Scotland, . . . . 267
Callernish, Hebrides, Bird's-eye View of Great Circle and Avenue, . . 268
,, ,, Second Circle, Plan, .. .. .. ..269
Broch of Dun Carloway, Hebrides (East Side), . . . . . . . . 270
„ (West Side), .. .. .. ..271
Teampull Bona, North Bona, Plan of Oratory, , . . . . . . . 273
,, ,, ,, ,, West End Interior Elevation, .. .. 274
„ ,, ,, ,, Cross at West End, .. .. ..275
Maeshowe Tumulus, Orkneys, Plan and Section, . . . . . . 278
,, ,, Interior and Plan of Chamber and Passage, .. 279
Stennis, Orkneys, Bing (from West), . . . . . . . . . . 280
,, ,, Cromlech (from North), .. .. .. ,. 281
Brogar, Orkneys, Great Circle (from South-west), .. r. . . ib.
,, ,, Great Circle and Watch-stone, .. .. 283
Maeshowe. Inscriptions in Bunes, and Carving of Dragon, . . . . 284
Map of Orkney Islands, . . . . ' . . . . . . . . 285
Kirkwall, Orkneys, St. Magnus Cathedral, Plan, . . . . . . 287
,, ,, ,, ,, Interior, Choir and Nave, 288,289
,, ,, ,, ,, North Transept and Choir, .. 290
,, ,, ,, ,, Doorway, South Transept, .. 291
,, ,, ,, Exterior (from South-east), .. 292
Egilsay Church and Bound Tower, Plan and View (from South-east), . . 294
Keiss, Caithness, the Shore Broch (Interior), . . . . . . . . 297
,, „ the Boad Broch (Older Foundations and Interior), 298, 299
,, ,, „ (Interior and Entrance to Chambers), .. 300
Eilean Mor, Sound of Jura, St. Carmaig's Church, Plan, East End, and
Interior, . . . . . . . . . . . . 302-304
Gigha, Kilchattan Church, East End, Window, and Cross, . . 305, 306
Island, Map, . Jt .. .. .. ... .. 307
Kildalton, Islay, Church and Smaller Cross (from North-east), .. 309
,, ,, ,, Smaller Cross (West Face), .. ... .. 310
}, ? ? Interior, .. .. .. .. .. 311
,, ,, ,, Effigy in South Wall, .. .. .. ..312
Oronsay Priory, Window and Side Chapel, .. .. .. ..313
,, ,, Exterior (from East), .. .. .. .. .. 314
Iona Cathedral (from South-east), ., .. .. .. .. 315
,, „ Doorway in North Wall of Choir, .. .. ..316
Kirkapoll Church and Crofter's Cottage, Tiree, .. .. .. 319
Dunvegan Castle, Skye, . . . . ... . . . . . . 320
,, Cup (Two Faces), .. .. .. .. ..321
,, ,, Cup (Perspective View), .. .. ., 323
Bodil Church, Harris, Tower (from South-west), .. „. .. 325
,, Windows and Figures, .. .. .. 326, 327
Eilean Mor, Flannan's Isles, Oratory and Cell, . . . . . . 328, 329
„ „ , ,„ Silhouette, . . . . .. ..329
Callernish Great Circle and Third Circle, . . . . . . 330, 331
,, Second Circle (from West), .. .. .. .. .. 330
,, Crofter's Cottage, .. .. .. .. .. .. 331
xvi
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Callernish Second Circle, Plan, . . . . . . . , tm 332
Third ,, „ .. .. .. ..333
Eilean M6r, Flannan Isles, Cell and Oratory, Plans, . . . . . . 332
Dun Carlo way and Crofter's Cottage ; Southern Hill, North Eona, . . 335
North Bona, Temple Bona, South-west View, .. .. .. 336
» ,> » „ East, .. .. .. .. ..337
,, Cell on Island, .. .. .. .. .. .. ib.
Maeshowe Tumulus, . . . . . . . . t # t t 339
Keiss, Caithness, Castle from the Seashore, . . . . , . . . . 340
,y Querns, &c, from Brochs, now at Keith Castle, . . . . 341
Eilean Mor, Sound of Jura, Cross, . . . . . . . . 343
>» >> \ >» >> St. Carmaig's Church, .. .. .. 344
,t ,j >> „ ,, Head of Cross, ..
345
Gigha Island, Kilchattan (North-east View),
346
>> , , Ogam Pillar,
347
" Giant's Eing" Cromlech and Plan,
353
, 354
Lagan (View on),
355
44 Giant's Eing " Cromlech,
ib.
Drumbo Bound Tower, View and Doorway,
357
, 358
359
Grey Abbey, Co. Down,
361
» >> „ "West Door,
362
,» tt Choir Arch,
363
,, General View, ..
364
PAT)T TV
Prehistoric Eemains in the Burren, Co. Clare :
Baur — South, Plan and Elevation of Cromlech,
369
Lisananima Fort, the Gateway,
371
Cragballyconoal, Plans of the Cromlechs,
372
Poulaphuca Cromlech (from North-west), Plan, and Elevation,
374
Caherconnell Fort, Plan,
375
Poulnabrone Cromlech, Plan ; Cahercashlaun, Plans,
376
Cahercashlaun Cliff Fort (from the North), -
377
Poulnabrone Cromlech (from the East),
378
Caheranardurrish Fort, Gateway,
379
Coolnatullagh Cromlech (from North-east) and Plan,
382
Holed Cross at Moone :
Sketches of Two Faces of Cross,
385
-388
Fragments of Cross,
386, 387
Crannog and other Finds in North County Wexford :
Bullan Stones at Killanerin and Ballynastragh,
404
Quern Stone from Clonsillagh Crannog,
405
Uolden Plate found near Castlemartyr, Cork,
414
,, Discs (two),
415
Throwing-stones or Hammer-stones,
428
*Comacine Panel of Interlaced Work of Sixth Century, from the Church of
San Clemente, Borne,
to face
434
*Comacine Knot, Church of S. Ambrogio, Milan, and Sculpture from
Sant'
Abbondio, Como,
to face
435
*Church and Bound Tower of S. Apollinare in Classe, Bayenna,
to face
436
LIST OF FELLOWS AND MEMBEES
FOR THE YEAR 1899,
WITH
LIST OF OFFICERS
AND
GENERAL RULES OF THE SOCIETY.
THE
EOYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
This Society, instituted to preserve, examine, and illustrate all
Ancient Monuments of the History, Language, Arts, Manners, and
Customs of the past, as connected with Ireland, was founded as
The Kilkenny Archaeological Society in 1849. Her Majesty the
Queen, on December 27th, 1869, was graciously pleased to order
that it be called The Koyal Historical and Archaeological Asso-
ciation of Ireland, and was further pleased to sanction the adoption
of the title of The Koyal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland on
25th March, 1890.
The Society holds four General Meetings in each year, in Dublin
and in the several Provinces of Ireland, when Papers on Historical
and Archaeological subjects are read, Fellows and Members elected,
Objects of Antiquity exhibited, and Excursions made to places of
Antiquarian interest. The Council meets monthly, at 6, St.
Stephen's-green, Dublin. Evening Meetings of the Society are
also held monthly in Dublin during the Winter. Honorary Pro-
vincial and Local Secretaries are appointed, whose duty it is to
inform the Hon. Secretary of all Antiquarian Eemains discovered in
their Districts, to investigate Local History and Traditions, and to
give notice of all injury likely to be inflicted on Monuments of
Antiquity, and Ancient Memorials of the Dead, in order that the
influence of the Society may be exerted to preserve them.
The Publications of the Society comprise the Journal and the
"Extra Volume " Series. The "Antiquarian Handbook" Series was
commenced in 1895, of which three sets have been published.
The Journal, now issued Quarterly, from the year 1849 to 1899,
inclusive, forming twenty-nine Volumes (royal 8vo), with more than
2000 Illustrations, contains a great mass of information on the
History and Antiquities of Ireland.
The following Volumes are now out of print: — First Series, Vols. I.
(1849-51) and III. (1854-55); New Series, Vols. I. (1856-57) and
III. (1860-61); Fourth Series, Vols. IV. (1876-78), VIII. (1887-88),
and IX. (1889). Of the remaining Volumes, those for 1870-1885
can be supplied to Members at the average rate of 10s. each. Odd
( 3 )
Parts, included in some of the Volumes [out of print, can be supplied
at an average of 3s. each. Part I. of the Fifth Series (1890) is out
of print ; the other Parts of this, the present Series, can be had for
8s. each.
The Extra Volumes are supplied to all Fellows, on the roll at date
of issue, free, and may be obtained by Members, at the prices fixed
by the Council.
The Extra Volume Series consists of the following Works : —
1853. — "Vita S. Kannechi, a codice in bibliotheca Burgundiana extante Bruxellis
transcripta, et cum codice in bibliotheca Marsiana Dublinii adservato collata." Edited
by the Most Hon. John, second Marquis of Ormonde. 100 copies presented by him
to the Members of the Society. (Oat of print.)
1855 and 1858. — Parts I. and II. of " Social State of S.E. Counties " as below.
1865-7. — " Observations in a Voyage through the Kingdom of Ireland: being a
collection of several Monuments, Inscriptions, Draughts of Towns, Castles, &c. By
Thomas Dineley (or Dingley), Gent., in the Year 1681." From the original MS. in
the possession of Sir T. E. Winnington, Bart., Stanford Court. Profusely illustrated
by fac-simile engravings of the original drawings of Castles, Churches, Abbeys,
Monuments, &c. Price of issue, £1 10s. [Out of print.)
1868-9. — " Social State of the Southern and Eastern Counties of Ireland in the
Sixteenth Century: being the Presentments of the Gentlemen, Commonalty, and
Citizens of Carlow, Cork, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, and Wexford, made in the
Reigns of Henry VIII. and Elizabeth." From the originals in the Public Record
Office, London. Edited by Herbert F. Hore and Rev. James Graves, m.r.i.a. Price
of issue, £1. (Out of print.)
1870—8. — "Christian Inscriptions in the Irish Language." From the earliest
known to the end of the twelfth century. Chiefly collected and drawn by George
Petrie, Esq. With Topographical, Historical, and Descriptive Letterpress. Illus-
trated by 107 plates and numerous woodcuts. Edited, with an Introductory Essay, by
M. Stokes ; revised by the Rev. William Reeves, d.d. 8 Parts in 2 Vols. Price of
issue, £4. Price to Members, 10*., for Parts L, II., HI., IV., VI., and VII.
1888-9.—" Rude Stone Monuments of the County Sligo and the Island of Aehill."
With 209 Illustrations. By Colonel Wood-Martin. Reduced price to Members, 7s. Qd.
1890-1.— "Account Roll of the Priory of the Holy Trinity, Dublin, 1337-46,
with the Middle English Moral Play, The Pride of Life." From the original in the
Christ Church Collection in the Public Record Office, Dublin. With fac-simile of
the ms. Edited, with Translation, Notes, and Introduction, by James Mills, m.r.i.a.
Reduced price to Members, 7s. Qd.
1892. — " Survey of the Antiquarian Remains on the Island of Inismurray." By
W. F. Wakeman, Hon. Fellow of the Society; Author of "A Handbook of Irish
Antiquities," &c. With a Preface by James Mills, m.r.i.a. 84 Illustrations. Price
7s. 6d.
1893-5. — " The Annals of Clonmacnoise" : being Annals of Ireland from the ear-
liest period to a.d. 1408, translated into English a.d. 1627, by Connell Mageoghagan,
and now for the first time printed. Edited by the Rev. Denis Murphy, s.J., ll.d.,
m.r.i.a., Vice-President of the Society. Price 10s.
1896-7. — "The Register of the Diocese of Dublin in the times of Archbishops
Tregury and Walton, 1467-1483." Edited by Henry F. Berry, m.a. 10s.
The following are in course of preparation as Extra Volumes : —
"The Gormanston Register." Edited by James Mills, m.r.i.a.
"The Journal and Accounts of Peter Lewys, 1564, Proctor of Christ Church
Cathedral, a.d. 1564." Edited by James Mills, m.r.i.a.
a2
( 4 )
The foregoing may be had from the Publishers, Messrs. Hodges,.
Figgis, & Co. (Ltd.), 104, Grafton-street, Dublin, or Messrs. Williams
& Norgate, London and Edinburgh, including the " Antiquarian
Handbook Series," of which No. 1, " Tara and Glendalough," price
Gd., has been issued; No. 2, "The Western Islands" (Northern
portion), and No. 3, " The Western Islands" (Southern portion), all
copiously illustrated.
All who are interested in antiquarian research are invited to join
the Society; and may notify their intentions either to the Hon.
Secretary, 6, St. Stephen's-green, Dublin, to the Hon. Provincial and
Local Secretaries, or any Member of the Society.
Subscriptions to be paid to the " Honorary Treasurer," 6, St,
Stephen's-green, Dublin, by Crossed Cheque or Postal Order.
Annual Subscription of Fellows,
. £1
0
0
Entrance Fee of Fellows, .
2
0
0
Annual Subscription of Members,
0
10
0
Entrance Fee of Members,
. 0
10
0
Life Composition — Fellows, including
Entrance Fee, ....
. 14
0
0
Life Composition — Fellows of Ten
years' standing, ....
. 8
0
0
Life Composition — Members, including
Entrance Fee, ....
. 7
0
0
Life Composition — Members of Ten
years' standing, ....
5
0
0
FELLOWS wishing to designate their connexion with the Society
may use the initials — F.R. S.A.I.
(By order of Council),
ROBERT COCHRANE,
Hon. Gen. Secretary^
31st December, 1899.
THE
EOYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OE IRELAND,
1899.
PATBONS AND OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY.
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES, E.G., K.P.
HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE, E.G., Lieut, and Custos Rot.
of County and City of Waterfokd.
HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF ABERCORN, K.G., C.B., Lieut, and Custos Rot.
of Co. Donegal.
THE RIGHT HON. O'CONOR DON, Lieut, and Custos Rot. of Co.
Roscommon.
THE RIGHT HON. EDWARD H. COOPER, Lieut, and Custos. Rot. of Co.
Sligo.
irwitat, 1897-4899,
THE RIGHT HON. O'CONOR DON, LL.D., M.R.I.A.
Leinster.
THE MOST REV. ABRAHAM BROWNRIGG, D.D., Bishop of Ossoky.
THOMAS DREW, R.H.A., F.R.I.B.A., P.R.I.A.I.
EDWARD PERCEVAL WRIGHT, M.A., M.D., M.R.I.A.
LORD WALTER FITZGERALD, M.R.I.A.
Ulster.
THE REV. JAMES O'LAVERTT, P.P., M.R.I.A.
WILLIAM J. KNOWLES, M.R.I.A.
ROBERT M. YOUNG, B.A., M.R.I.A.
THE REV. GEORGE R. BUICK, M.A., LL.D., M.R.I.A.
Munster.
THE RIGHT HON. ARTHUR H. SMITH-BARRY: M.P.
THE REV. CANON FFRENCH, M.R.I.A.
JAMES FROST, M.R.I.A.
THE REV. EDMOND BARRY, P.P., M.R.I.A.
Connaught.
THE RIGHT HON. EDWARD H. COOPER, M.R.I.A.
EDWARD MARTYN, D.L.
THE MOST REV. JOHN HEALY, D.D., LL.D., M.R.I.A., Bishop or
Clonfert.
( 6 )
EOBEHT COCHRANE, F.S.A., M.R.I.A.,
17, HlGHEIELD-ROAD, DUBLIN.
J|cm\ %xm%\xxtx.
F. ELRINGTON BALL, M.R.I.A.
tawril Ux 1899.
GEORGE A. P. KELLY, M.A.
WILLIAM R. J. MOLLOY, M.B.I. A.
JAMES MILLS, M.R.I.A.
COUNT PLUNKETT, M.R.I.A.
THOMAS J. WESTROPP, M.A., M.B.I. A.
WILLIAM C. STUBBS, M.A.
RICHARD LANGRISHE, F.R.I. A. I.
THE REV. CANON HEALY, LL.D.
SEATON F. MILLIGAN, M.R.I.A.
GEORGE COFFEY, B.A.I. , M.R.I.A.
WILLIAM GROVE WHITE, LL.B.
JOHN COOKE, M.A.
Assistant ^tcxxhxrx.
G. D. BURTCHAELL, M.A., M.R.I.A.,
6, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin.
THOMAS J. WESTROPP, M.A., M.R.I.A.,
6, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin.
Hxrir. €xxx%lox, ^'xllmxxry.
RICHARD LANGRISHE, F.R.I.A.I.
Qxibixoxx.
JAMES G. ROBERTSON. | JOHN COOKE, M.A.
^>xxx%itn.
ROBERT COCHRANE, F.S.A. | ED. PERCEVAL WRIGHT, M.D.
THE PROVINCIAL BANK OF IRELAND, Limited, College-street, Durlin.
Hxw. i rxrfmtckl $tmtuxm>
Leinster.
Thomas J. Westropp, M.A., M.R.I.A., Dublin.
The Rev. Canon eerench, M.R.I.A., Clonegall.
Ulster.
Seaton F. Milligan, M.R.I.A., Belfast.
The Rev. Canon Lett, M.A., M.R.I.A., Loughbrickland.
Munster.
P. J. Lynch, C.E., M.R.I.A. I., Architect, Limerick.
The Rev. Canon C. Moore, M.A., Mitchelstown.
Connaught.
The Rev. C. Lawrence, M.A., Lawrencetown, Co. Galway.
Edward Martyn, D.L., Tillyra Castle, Ardrahan.
( 7 )
Antrim, Middle, . . . . W. A. Traill, M.A.
„ North, The Eev. S. A. Brenan, M.A.
,, South, W. J. Knowles, M.R.I. A.
Armagh, Robert Gray, F.R.C.P.I., J. P.
Athlone, . . . . . . John Burgess, J. P.
Belfast, City, R. M. Young, J.P., B.A., M.R.I.A.
Carlow, . . .. .. Colonel P. D. Vigors, J. P.
Cavan, The Rev. P. W. White B.A.
Clare, South, James Frost, J. P., M.R.I.A.
North, . . . . . . Dr. George XJ. Macnamara.
Cork, South, The O'Donovan, M.A., J.P., D.L.
„ North, The Rev. Thomas Olden, M.A., M.R.I.A.
„ East, The Rev. Edmond Barry, P.P., M.R.I.A.
„ West, . . . . . . The Rev. Patrick Hurley, P.P.
,, City, W. H. Hill, F.R.I. B.A.
Donegal, . . . . . . The Ven. Archdeacon Baillie, M.A.
Doivn, North, W. H. Patterson, M.R.I.A.
,, South, . . . . . . Samuel Kerr Kirker, C.E.
Dublin, South, W. F. Wakeman (Son. Fellow).
,, North, . . .. .. William C. Stubbs, M.A., Barrister-at-Law.
,, City, .. .. .. John Cooke, M.A.
Fermanagh, . . .. .. Thomas Plunkett, M.R.I.A.
Galway, North, . . . . . . Richard J. Kelly, Barrister-at-Law, J. P.
„ South, Very Rev. J. Fahey, P.P., V.G.
Town, . . . . . . James Perry, C.E.
Kerry, The Rev. Denis O'Donoghue, P.P., M.R.I.A.
Kildare, South, .. .. ., Lord Walter Fitz Gerald, M.R.I.A., J. P.
,, North, .. .. . . The Rev. Edward O'Leary, P.P.
Kilkenny, .. .. M. M. Murphy, M.R.I.A., Solicitor.
City, P. M. Egan, J.P.
King's County, . . . . . . Mrs. Tarleton.
Leitrim, . . .. .. H. J. B. Clements, J.P., D.L.
Limerick, Fast, . . . . . . J. Grene Barry, J.P.
„ West, G. J. Hewson, M.A.
,, City, . . .. .. The Rev. James Dowd, M.A.
Londonderry, North, .. .. William J. Browne, M.A., M.R.I.A.
South, . . . . The Rev. Albert H. Maturin, M.A.
,, City, .. .. The Rev. Joseph M'Keefry, M.R.I.A., CC.
Longford, .. .. .. J. M. Wilson, M.A., J.P.
Louth, J. R. Garstin, M.A., F.S.A., M.R.I.A.
Mayo, South, W. E. Kelly, C.E., J.P.
,, North, The Right Rev. Monsignor O'Hara, P.P. V.F.
Meath, South, J. H. Moore, M.A., M.Inst. C.E.I.
,, North, .. .. .. The Rev. Canon Healy, LL.D.
Monaghan, .. .. . . D. Carolan Rushe, B.A., Solicitor.
Queen's Co., B. P. J. Mahony, M.R.C.V.S.
Roscommon, .. .. .. George A. P. Kelly, M.A., Barrister-at-Law.
Sligo, .. .. .. .. The Very Rev. Archdeacon O'Rorke, D.D.»
M.R.I.A.
Tipperary, South, . . . . The Rev. Denis Hanan, D.D.
,, North, .. .. * * * * *
Tyrone, West, . . . . . . Charles Mullin, Solicitor.
„ East, The Rev. William T. Latimer, B.A.
Waterford, East, . , . . E. Walsh Kelly.
West, . . . . Richard J. Ussher, J.P.
City, M. J. Hurley.
Westmeath, North, .. .. The Rev. Hill Wilson White, D.D. , M.R.I.A
South, .. .. The Rev. William Falkiner, M.A., M.R.I.A.
Wexford, North, .. .. Dr. G. E. J. Greene, M.R.I.A., F.L.S., J.P.
,, South, .. ..J. Ennis Mayler.
Wicklow, The Rev. Canon ffrench, M.R.I.A.
( 8 )
FELLOWS OF THE SOCIETY.
(Revised December, 1899.)
The Names of those who have paid the Life Composition, and are Life Fellows, are
printed in heavy-faced type. (See Rules 3 and 7, page 41.)
Those marked thus (f ) died since the publication of the last List.
Datu of Election.
MEMBER.
1886
1872
1876
1892
1885
1896
1882
1880
1896
1888
1884
1876
1885
1882
1882
1864
1891
1889
FELLOW.
1888
1888
1889
1889
1893
1898
1899
1879
1888
1893
1898
1898
1896
1899
1898
1888
1877
1887
1888
1887
1890
1889
1871
1898
1892
1897
Abercorn, His Grace the Duke of, M.A. (Oxon.), KG-., C.B.
Baronscourt, Newtownstewart. (Honorary President, 1896.)
Agnew, Hon. Sir James Wilson, K.C.M.G. Hobart, Tasmania.
Allen, J. Romilly, F.S.A. 28, Great Ormond-street, London,
W.C.
ARMSTRONG, Robert Bruce, F.S.A. (Scot.), 6, Randolph Cliff,
Edinburgh.
Bagnall-Oakeley, Rev. "William, M.A. (Oxon.). Newland, Cole-
ford, Gloucestershire.
Balfour, Blayney Reynell Townley, M.A. (Cantab.), M.R.I.A.,
J. P., D.L. Townley Hall, Drogheda.
BALL, Francis Elrington, M.R.I. A., J.P., Mopoon, Dundrum.
BARTER, Rev. John Berkeley, M.R.I. A., F. R.G. S.I.,
F.R.Z.S.I. 21, Via Assietta, Corso Re Umberto, Turin,
Italy.
Barry, Rev. Edmond, P.P., M.R.I. A. Rathcormac, Co. Cork.
Beattie, Rev. A. Hamilton. Portglenone, Co. Antrim.
Bellingham, Sir Henry, Bart., M.A. (Oxon.), J. P., D.L.,
Bellingham Castle, Castlebellingham.
Berry, Captain Robert G. J. J. Army Service Corps, Dundalk.
Bigger, Francis Joseph, M.R.I. A. Ardrie, Belfast.
Black, Charles Herbert, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.
Brooke, Rev. Stopford A., M.A. 1 , Manchester-square, London, W.
Browne, Most Rev. James, D.D., Bishop of Ferns. St. Peter's
College, Wexford.
Browne, John Blair. Brownstown House, Kilkenny.
BROWNE, William James, M.A. (Lond.), M.R.I.A., Inspector
of Schools. 5, Crawford-square, Londonderry.
Brownrigg, Most Rev. Abraham, D.D., Bishop of Ossory.
St. Kieran's, Kilkenny. (Vice-President, 1896-1900.)
Buiek, Rev. Geo. Raphael, M.A., LL.D., M.R.I.A. The
Manse, Cullybacliev. (Vice President, 1892-97, 1898.)
BTJRTCHAELL, Geo. Dames, M.A., LL.B. (Dubl.), M.R.I.A.,
Barrister-at-Law. 44, Morehampton-road, Dublin.
Cane, Major R. Claude, J. P. St. Wolstan's, Celbridge.
Castletown, Right Hon. Lord, J.P., D.L. Grantston Manor,
Abbeyleix. (Vice-President, 1885-89.)
Chestnutt, John, B.A., L.R.C.P. & L.R.C.S. (Edin.). Derwent
House, Howden, East Yorks.
Clark, Stewart, J. P. Kilnside, Paisley.
Clarke, William Usher, Bridge House, Teddington, Middlesex.
FELLOWS OF THE SOCIETY.
9
Date of Election.
MEMBER.
FELLOW.
1869
1871
1891
1864
1882
1891
1894
1896
1896
1891
1888
1894
1862
1871
1889
1890
1897
1853
1870
1893
1894
1897
1891
1893
1892
1895
1866
1870
1863
1888
1898
1891
1872
1892
1891
1894
1894
1895
1890
1895
1 888
1889
1891
1893
1864
1888
1882
1888
1872
CLOSE, Rev. Maxwell H., M.A., M.R.I.A., F.G.S. 38, Lower
Baggot-street, Dublin.
Cochrane, Sir Henry, J. P., D.L. Nassau-place, Dublin.
COCHRANE, Robert, F.S.A., F.R.I.B.A., M.R.I. A., Fellow
Societe Royale des Antiquaires du Nord. 6, St. Stephen' s-
green, Dublin. {Hon. Gen. Secretary, 1888.)
Coffey, George, B.A.I., M.R.T.A., Barrister-at-Law. 5, Har-
court-terrace, Dublin.
Colles, Ramsay, M.R.I. A., J. P. 1, Wilton-terrace, Dublin.
COLLES, Richard, B.A., J.P. Millmount, Kilkenny.
Colvill, Robert Frederick Stewart, B.A. (Cantab.), J.P. Coolock
House, Coolock.
Cooke, John, M.A. 66, Morehampton-road, Dublin.
Cooper, The Right Hon. Edward Henry, M.R.I.A., H.M.L.,
Co. Sligo. Markree Castle, Co. Sligo ; and 42, Portman-
square, London. (Vice-President, 1896-1900.)
Copinger, Walter Arthur, LL.D., F.S.A. Timperly, Cheshire;
Cockerell's Hall, Buxhall, Suffolk.
Costly, Thomas. 300, Lower Broughton, Manchester.
Courtown, Right Hon. the Earl of, J. P., D.L. Courtown
House, Corey. (Vice-President, 1886-87.)
COWAN, Samuel Wm, Percy, M.A., M.R.I. A. Craigavad,
Co. Down.
Crawley, W. J. Chetwode, LL.D., D.C.L., F.R.G.S., F.G.S.,
F.R. Hist. S. 3, Ely-place, Dublin.
Crozier, Right Rev. John Baptist, D.D., Bishop of Ossory, Ferns,
and Leighlin. The Palace, Kilkenny.
Cullinan, Henry Cooke, LL.B., Barrister-at-Law. 7, St.
Stephen' s-green, Dublin.
Dagg, Geo. A. de M. E., M.A., LL.B., D.I.R.I.C. Raphoe.
Dames, Robert Staples Longworth, B.A. (Dubl.), M.R.I. A., J. P.,
Barrister-at-Law. 21, Herbert-street, Dublin.
Day, Robert, F.S.A. , M.R.I. A., J.P. Myrtle Hill House, Cork.
(Vice-President, 1887-97.)
t Deane, Sir Thomas Newenham, R.H.A., Dorset Lodge,
Killiney.
Dease, Edmund, M.A., J. P., D.L. Rath, Ballybrittas, Queen's
County.
Devonshire, His Grace the Duke of, M.A. (Cantab.), D.C.L.,
K.G. Devonshire House, Piccadilly, London, W. (Hon.
President, 1897).
Dixon, Sir Daniel, J. P., D.L. Ballymenoch House, Holywood,
Co. Down.
Donnelly, Most Rev. Nicholas, D.D., M.R.I.A., Bishop of
Canea. St. Cronans, Bray.
DONNELLY, Patrick J. 134, Capel-street, Dublin.
Doyle, Charles F., M.A., F.R. U.I. 56, George -street, Limerick.
Drew, Thomas, R.H.A., F.R.I.B.A., P.R.I.A.L Gortnadrew,
Alma-road, Monkstown, Co. Dublin. ( Vice- President ,
1889-94, 1897 ; President, 1894-97.)
Duignan, William Henry. Gorway, Walsall.
Eden, Rev. Arthur, M.A. (Oxon.) Ticehurst, Hawkhurst,
Sussex.
Egan, Patrick M., J.P. High-street, Kilkenny.
EVANS, Sir John, K.C.B., D.C.L. (Oxon.), LL.D. (Dublin),
D.Sc, F.R.S., F.S.A., Hon. M.R.I.A. Nash Mills, Hemel
Hempsted.
10
Date or Election.
FELLOWS OF THE SOCIETY,
MEMBER.
1889
1876
1890
1887
1871
1866
1891
1851
1867
1889
1893
1887
1868
1894
1897
1886
1892
1882
1890
FELLOW.
1889
1889
1894
1889
1888
1892
1877
1875
1894
1899
1895
1891
1888
1888
1895
1895
1898
1896
1890
1893
1897
1892
1890
1892
1888
1895
EWART, Sir William Quartus, Bart., M.A., J.P.
Strandtown, Belfast.
Schomberg,
FFRENCH, Eev. James F. M., Canon, M.R.I. A. Ballyredmond.
House, Clonegal. {Vice-President, 1897).
Finlay, Ven. George, D.D., Archdeacon of Clogher. The
Rectory, Clones.
FITZGERALD, Lord Frederick. Carton, Maynooth.
FITZGERALD, Lord Walter, M.R.I.A., J.P. Kilkea Castle,
Mageney. (Vice-President, 1895-1898.)
Fogerty, William A., M.A., M.D. 61, George-street, Limerick.
rFrazer, William, F.R.C.S.I., M.R.I.A., Hon. F.S.A. (Scot.),
F.R. G.S.I. 20, Harcourt-street, Dublin. (Vice-President,
1895-1899.)
Frost, James, M.R.I. A., J.P. 54, George-street, Limerick
(Vice-President, 1898).
GARSTIN, John Ribton, LL.B., M.A., B.D.,F.S.A., M.R.I.A.,
F.R. U.S., J. P., D.L. Bragganstown, Castlebellingham.
(Vice-President, 1885-95.)
Geoghegan, Charles, Assoc. Inst. C.E.I. 89, Pembroke-road,
Dublin.
Gibson, Andrew, 49, Queen's-square, Belfast.
Goff, William G. D., J.P. Glenville, Waterford.
Gordon, John W. Mullingar.
tGraves, Right Rev. Charles, D.D., D.C.L., F.R.S., M.R.I. A.,
Lord Bishop of Limerick, Ardfert, and Aghadoe. The
Palace, Limerick. (Vice-President, 1894-98.)
Gray, William, M.R.I. A. Auburn Villa, Glenburn Park, Belfast.
(Vice-President, 1889-96.)
Greene, George E. J., M.A., D.Sc, M.R.I. A., F.L.S., J.P.
Ferns.
Greer, Thomas, M.R.I. A., F.R.G.S., J.P. Sea Park, Belfast,
and Grove House, Regent's Park, London, N.W.
GREGG, Huband George, J. P., Oldtown, Edgeworthstown.
Handcock, Gustavus F. Public Record Office, Chancery-lane,
London, W.C.
Healy, Most Rev. John, D.D., LL.D., M.R.I.A., Bishop of
Clonfert. Mount St. Bernard, Ballymacward, Ballinasloe.
(Vice-President, 1890-98.)
HEWSON, George James, M.A. Hollywood, Adare.
Hickey, Rev. Michael P., D.D., M.R.I.A., Professor of Gaelic
and Lecturer on Irish Archseology. St. Patrick's College,
Maynooth.
Higgins, Patrick. Town Clerk's Office, Waterford.
Hill, Right Hon. Lord Arthur Wm., M.P. 74, Eaton-place,
London, S.W. ; and Bigshotte, Rayles, Wokingham, Berks.
(Vice-President, 1888-95.)
Holmes, Emra, F.R.H.S. H. M. Customs, Harwich.
Houston, Thomas G., M.A. Academical Institution, C>le-
raine.
HOWDEN, Charles. Invermore, Larne.
Humphreys, Very Rev. Robert, M.A., Dean of Killaloe. The.
Glebe, Ballinaclough, Nenagh.
Hurley, M. J Abbeylands, Waterford.
FELLOWS OF THE SOCIETY.
11
Date or Election.
MEMBER. FELLOW
1891
1890
1893
1890
1889
1887
1872
1893
1899
1898
1894
1894
1888
1890
1888
1886
1896
1872
1 P.7Q
1892
1896
1889
1 P.8P.
1891
1892
1864
1896
1889
1883
1889
1889
1899
1893
1891
1864
1891
1893
1870
1898
1896
1863
1890
1893
1871
1893
1897
1896
1896
1884
1897
1897
1888
1889
1870
1892
1871
1869
1888
Johnson, Edmond, M.R.I.A., J. P. 94, Grafton-street, Dublin.
KANE, His Honor Robert Romney, LL.D., M.R.I. A., County
Court Judge. 4, Fitzwilliam-place, Dublin.
Kearney, Francis Edgar, LL.D., George-street, Limerick.
Keating, Miss Geraldine, Cannon Mills Cottage, Chesham, Bucks.
KELLY, Edward Festus. 15, Palace-court, London, W.
Kelly, George A. P., M.A., Barrister-at-Law. 129, Lower
Baggot-street, Dublin; and Cloonglasnymore, Strokestown.
Kelly, William Edward, C.E., J.P. St. Helen's, Westport.
Kelly, William P., Solicitor. Sbannonview Park, Atblone.
Kirker, Samuel Kerr, C.E. Board of Works, Belfast.
Knowles, William James, M.R.I. A. Flixton-place, Ballymena.
(Vice-President, 1897.)
Knox, Hubert Thomas, M.R.I. A. Westover, Bilton, Bristol.
Langrishe, Richard, F.R.I.A.L, J.P. Dundrum House, Co.
Dublin. (Vice-President, 1879-95.)
Latimer, Rev. William Thomas, B.A. The Manse, Eglish,
Dungannon.
f La Touche, J. J. Digges, M.A., LL.D., M.R.I.A. Public
Record Office, Dublin. (Vice-President, 1898.)
Lawrence, Rev. Charles, M.A. Lisreaghan, Lawrencetown, Co.
Galway.
LEWIS CROSBY, Rev. Ernest H. C, B.D. 36, Rutland-square,
Dublin.
Lillis, T. Barry. Janeville, Ballintemple, Cork.
Linn, Richard. 229, Hereford-st., Chrislchurch, New Zealand,
f LOWRY, Robert William, B.A. (Oxon.), M.R.I.A., J.P., D.L.
Pomeroy House, Pomeroy, Co. Tyrone.
Lynch, Patrick J., C.E., M.R.I. A. I. 8, Mallow-st., Limerick.
Macan, Arthur, M.B. 53, Merrion -square, Dublin.
Mac Ritchie, David, F.S.A. (Scot.) 4, Archibald- place, Edin-
burgh.
Mains, John, J.P. Eastbourne, Coleraine.
Malone, Very Rev. Sylvester, P.P., V.G., M.R.I.A. Kilrush.
Manning, Percy, M.A., F.S.A. 6, St. Aldates, Oxford.
MARTYN, Edward, J.P., D.L. Tillyra Castle, Ardrahan.
(Vice-President, 1897).
Mayler, James Ennis. Harristown, Ballymitty, Co. Wexford.
M' Cab an, Robert. Ballycastle, Co. Antrim,
t McChesney, Joseph, Annsville, Holywood, Co. Down.
McCREA, Rev. Daniel F., M.R.I. A".
M'DONNELL, Daniel, M.A., M.D. 17; Cherrymount, Crumlin-
road, Belfast.
McGeeney, Very Rev. Patrick, Canon, P.P., V.F. Crossmaglen-
Mellon, Thomas J. Rydal Mount, Milltown, Co. Dublin. *
MILLIGAN, Seaton Forrest, M.R.I.A. 1, Malone-road, Belfast.
(Vice-President, 1895-99.)
Mills, James, M.R.I.A. Public Record Office, Dublin.
MOLLOY, William Robert, M.R.I.A., J.P. 78, Kenilworth-
square, Dublin.
Moran, His Eminence Cardinal, D.D., M.R.I.A. Archbishop-
of Sydney, New South Wales. ( Vice-President, 1888-96. )
12
Date of Election.
MEMBER.
FELLOW.
1888
1895
1892
1894
1897
1889
1889
1888
1890
1877
1889
1897
1898
1892
1893
1877
1888
1869
1888
1897
1887
1890
1869
1895
1891
1862
1872
1890
1890
1895
1894:
1898
1885
1888
1889
1899
1894
1889
1875
1867
1888
1892
1873
•
1888
1896
1889
1890
1889
1893
1872
FELLOWS OF THE SOCIETY.
Moran, John, M.A., LL.D., M.R.I.A. Imperial Hotel, Belfast.
Mullen, Ben. H., M.A. (Dub.), F.A.I. , Curator, &c, Royal
Museum. Peel Park, Salford.
Murphy, J. H. Burke. The Agency, Cultra, Holywood, Co.
Down.
MURPHY, Michael M., M.R.I.A. Troyes Wood, Kilkenny.
Norman, George, M.D., F.R.M.S. 12, Brock-street. Bath.
O'BRIEN, William, M.A., LL.D. 4, Kildare- street, Dublin.
O'Connell, Eev. Daniel, B.D. 81, Quay, Waterford.
O'Connell, John Bobert, M.A., LL.D. 10, Mountjoy- square,
Dublin.
O'Connor, Very Rev. Daniel, P.P., Canon. Newtown Butler.
O'Conor Don, The Right Hon. LL.D., M.R.I.A., H.M.L.
Clonalis, Castlerea. {Vice-President, 1886—97; President,
1897-99.)
O'Donoghue, Charles, J. P. Ballynahown Court, Athlone.
O'Donovan, The, M.A. (Oxon.), J.P., D.L. Liss Ard, Skibbe-
reen. {Vice-President, 1890-94.)
O'Laverty, Rev. James, P.P., M.R.I. A. Holywood, Co. Down.
{Vice-President, 1896-1900.)
O'Loughlin, Rev. Robert Stuart, M.A., D.D. Rectory,
Lurgan.
O'Meagher, Joseph Casimir, M.R.I. A. 23, Wellington-road,
Dublin.
O'Neill, Jorge (Grand Officier de la maison du Roi). Pair du
Royaume, 59, Rua das Flores, Lisbon.
O'NEILL, Hon. Robert Torrens, M.A. (Oxon.), J.P., D.L.
M.P. Tullymore Lodge, Ballymena, Co. Antrim.
O'REILLY, Rev. Hugh, M.R.I. A. St. Colman's Seminary,
Newry.
O'Reilly, Patrick J. 7, North Earl-street, Dublin.
O'Rorke, Very Rev. Terence, D.D., M.R.I.A., P.P., Arch-
deacon of Achonry. Church of the Assumption, Collooney.
ORMSBY, Charles C, A.I.C.E.I. Ballinamore House, Eil-
timagh, Co. Mayo.
O'Ryan, James, Provincial Bank, Kilrush.
O'Shaughnessy, Richard, B.A., Barrister-at-Law, Commissioner
of Public Works. 3, Wilton-place, Dublin.
OWEN, Edward. India Office, Whitehall, London, S.W.
Palmer, Charles Colley, J. P., D.L. Rahan, Edenderry.
Perceval, John James. Slaney View, Wexford.
Perceval -Maxwell, Robert, J. P., D.L. Finnebrogue, Down-
patrick.
Phene, John S., LL.D., F.S.A., F.G.S. 5, Carlton-terrace,
Oakley-street, London, S.W.
Plunkett, George Noble, Count, M.R.I. A., Barrister-at-Law.
26, Upper Fitzwilliam-street, Dublin.
Plunkett, Countess. 26, Upper Fitzwilliam-street, Dublin.
Poison, Thomas R. J., M.R.I. A. Wellington-place, Enniskillen.
Pope, Peter A. New Ross.
Prichard, Rev. Hugh, M.A., F.S.A. (Scot.) Dinam, Gaerwen,
Anglesey.
FELLOWS OF THE SOCIETY".
13
Date of Election .
MEMBER.
FELLOW.
1894
1894
1894
1880
1888
1879
1890
1898
1891
1896
1892
1892
1889
1875
1875
1873
1897
1899
1894
1890
1890
1885
1888
1892
1893
1898
1892
1893
1892
1865
1888
1894
1893
1896
1899
1885
1888
1884
1890
1864
1870
1874
1888
1891
Robinson, Andrew, C.E., Board of Works. 116, St. Laurence-
road, Clontarf.
Robinson, Rev. Stanford F. H., M.A. 2, Trevelyan-terrace.
Rathgar.
Rushe, Denis Carolan, B.A., Solicitor. Far-Meehul, Monaghan.
RYLANDS, Thomas Glazebrook, F.S.A., F.R.A.S., F.C.S.,.
M.R.I. A. Highfields, Thelwall, Warrington.
SAITNDERSON, Robert de Bedick, M.A. (Dubl.). Avonmore,
Goldhawk-road, Chiswick, London, W.
Scott, William Robert, M.A. (Dubl.). 4, Murray-place, St.
Andrew's N.B., and Lisnamallard, Omagh.
Shaw, Sir Frederick W., Bart., J. P., D.L. Bushy Park,
Terenure.
Sheehan, Most Rev. Richard A lphonsus, D.D., Bishop of Water-
ford and Lismore. Bishop's House, John's Hill, Waterford.
{Vice-President, 1896-99.)
Smiley, Hugh Houston, J.P. Drumalis, Larne.
SMITH-BARRY, The Right Hon. Arthur H,, J.P., D.L., M.P.
Fota Island, Cork, and Carlton Club, London. ( Vice-
President, 1897-1900.)
Smith, Joseph, M.R.I.A. The Limes, Latchford, Warrington.
Smith, Worthington G., F.L.S., M.A.I. 121, High-street,
Dunstable, Beds. _
Speth, George William, F.R.Hist.S., La Tuya, Edward-road,
Bromley, Kent.
Stevenson, George A., Commissioner of Public Works, Custom
House, Dublin.
Stoney,Rev. Robert Baker,M.A., D.D., Canon. St. Matthew's,
Irishtown.
Stubbs, Major-General Francis William, J.P. 2, Clarence-
terrace, St. Luke's, Cork.
Swan, Joseph Percival. 22, Charleville-road, N.C.R., Dublin.
Tallon, The Right Hon. Daniel, Lord Mayor of Dublin.
Taylor, Rev. John Wallace, LL.D. Errigal Glebe, Emyvale.
Tenison, Charles Mac Carthy, M.R.I.A. Barrister-at-Law,.
J.P. Hobart, Tasmania.
Tighe, Edward Kenrick Bunbury, J. P., D.L. Woodstock,
Inistioge.
Trench, Thomas F. Cooke, M.R.I.A., J.P., D.L. Millicent,
Sallins.
Thynne, Sir Henry, M.A., LL.D., C.B., Deputy Inspector-
General R.I.C., Dublin.
Uniacke, R. G. Fitz Gerald, B.A. (Oxon.). Chelsham Lodge,
Whyteleafe, Surrey.
Upton, Henry Arthur Shuckburgh, J.P. Coolatore, Moate, Co.
Westmeath.
Vigors, Colonel Philip Doyne, J.P. Holloden, Bagenalstown^
{Vice-President, 1895-99.)
Vinycomb, John, M.R.I.A. Riverside, Holywood, Co. Down.
WALES, H. R. H. the Prince of, E.G., K.P., &c. Sandringham.
WARD, Francis Davis, M.R.I.A., J.P. 4, Wilmont-terrace„
Belfast.
Ward, John, F.S.A., J.P. Lenox Vale, Belfast,
14
Date of Election.
MEMBER.
FELLOW.
1890
1897
1871
1871
1890
1898
1886
1893
1892
1894
1896
1879
1890
1889
1890
1887
1887
1891
1891
FELLOWS OF THE SOCIETY.
Warren, the Rev. Thomas. Belmont, 29, Gipsey Hill, London,
S.E.
Watson, Thomas. Ship Quay Gate, Londonderry.
Westropp, Ralph Hugh, B.A. Springfort, Patrick's Well,
Co. Limerick.
WESTROPP, Thomas Johnson, M.A., M.R.I.A. 77, Lower
Leeson-street, Dublin.
Wigham, John R., M.R.I.A., J. P. Albany House, Monks-
town.
WILSON, William W., M.R.I.A., M. Inst. C.E. Ardganagh,
Ball's -bridge.
Windle, Bertram C. A., M.A., M.D., D.Sc. (Dubl.), F.R.S.,
Dean of the Medical Faculty, Mason College, Birmingham.
Woods, Cecil Crawford. 21, Dyke-parade, Cork.
WOOLLCOMBE, Robert Lloyd, M.A., LL.D. (Dubl.) ; LL.D.
(Royal Univ.); F.I.Inst., F.S.S., M.R.I.A., Barrister-
at-Law. 14, Waterloo-road, Dublin.
WRIGHT, Edward Perceval, M.D., M.A. (Dubl.) ; M.A.
(Oxon.); M.R.I.A., F.L.S., F.R.C.S.I., J.P„ Professor of
Botany. 5, Trinity College, Dublia. ( Vice-President, 1898.)
Young, Robert Magill, B.A., C.E., M.R.I.A., J.P.
Belfast. {Vice-President, 1898.)
Rathvarna,
FELLOWS OF THE SOCIETY. 15
HONORARY FELLOWS.
Date op Election-.
MEMBER.
FELLOW.
1891
D'Arbois de Jubainville, H., Editor of Revue Celtique. 84,
Boulevard Mont Parnasse, Paris.
1890
1891
Hoffman, William J., M.D., c/o Herbert M. Sternberg, Read-
ing, Penn., U.S.A.
1891
Lubbock, Right Hon. Sir John, Bart., D.C.L., LL.D.,
F.R.S., M.P. High Elms, Farnborough, Kent.
1891
1893
Meade, Right Hon. Joseph M., LL.D., J.P. St. Michael's,
Ailesbury-road, Dublin.
1891
Munro, Robert, M.A., M.D. (Hon. M.R.I. A.), Secretary of
the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. 48, Manor-place,
Edinburgh.
1891
Pigorini, Professor Luigi, Director of tbe Museo Preistorieo-
Etnografico Kircheriano, Rome.
1891
Rhys, John, M.A., Professor of Celtic, Principal of Jesus
College, Oxford.
1889
1891
Roberts, S. Ussher, C.B. 6, Clyde-road, Dublin.
1850
1870
Robertson, James George, Architect. 36, Sandford-road, Dublin.
1891
Sbderberg, Professor Syen, Ph. D., Director of the Museum of
Antiquities, University of Lund, Sweden.
1891
Stokes, Miss Margaret, Hon. M.R.I.A. Carrigbreac, Howtli
Co. Dublin.
1868
1876
Wakeman, William Frederick. Knightsville, Blackrock, Dublin.
Total number of Fellows, December, 1899 :
Life, . , . . . , . , . . ,
Honorary (under old Rules, 3 ; new Rules, 9),
Annual, , , . , . . , , . ,
( 16 )
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
[Revised December, 1899.)
The Names of those who have paid the Life Composition, and are Life Members, ar<
printed in heavy-faced type. {See Rules 4, 8, and 9, page 41.)
Those marked thus (j) died since the publication of the last List.
Elected
1893 Abbott, Rev. Canon, M.A. The Rectory, Tullow, Co. Carlow.
1896 Acheson, John, J. P. Dunavon, Portadown.
1898 Adams, Rev. William Alexander, B.A. The Manse, Antrim.
1890 Agnew, Rev. J. Tweedie. The Manse, Portadown.
1892 Alcorn, James Gunning, Barrister-at-Law, J. P. 2, Kildare-place, Dublin.
1887 Alexander, Thomas John, M.A., LL D. 1, Bellevue Park, Military-rd., Cork.
1898 Allen, Henry J. 14, Ailesbury-road, Dublin.
1899 Allen, Mrs. W. J. Liniwinny, Lurgan.
1890 Allingham, Hugh, M.R.I. A. The Mall, Ballysbannon.
1894 Airworthy, Edward. Ardgreenan, Cavehill-road, Belfast.
1898 Allworthy, Samuel William, M.A., M.D. The Manor House, Antrim-road^
Belfast.
1891 Alment, Rev. William F., B.D. Drakestown Rectory, Navan.
1890 Alton, J. Poe {Fellow, Inst, of Bankers). Elim, Grosvenor-road, Dublin.
1894 Anderson, Robert Hall, J. P. Sixmile-Cross, Co. Tyrone.
1894 Anderson, William, J. P. Glenarvon, Merrion, Co. Dublin.
1891 Andrews, James Thomas, M.A., Barrister-at-Law. 36, St. Stephen's-green,
Dublin.
1896 Annaly, The Lady. Sion, Navan.
1897 Archdall, Right Rev. Mervyn, D.D., Bishop of Killaloe, &c. Claresford,
Killaloe.
1891 Archer, Rev. James Edward, B.D. 2, Cyrene Villas, Clifton Park-avenue,
Belfast.
1890 Archer, Mrs. St. Mary's Rectory, Drogheda.
1894 Ardagh, Rev. Arthur W., M.A. The Vicarage, Finglas.
1868 Ardilaun, Rt. Hon. Lord, M.A., M.R.I.A. St. Anne's, Clontarf.
1863 Ashbourne, Right Hon. Lord, LL.D. 12, Merrion -square, Dublin.
1896 Ashby, Newton B., United States Consul. 6, Sandycove, Kingstown.
1880 Atkins, W. Ringrose. 39 South Mall, Cork.
1890 Atkinson, Rev. E. Dupre, LL.B. (Cantab.) Donaghcloney, Waringstown.
1894 Babington, Rev. Richard, M.A. Rectory, Moville.
1895 Badham, Miss. St. Margaret's Hall, Mespil-road, Dublin.
1878 Bagwell, Richard, M.A. (Oxon.), J.P., D.L. Marlfield, Clonmel.
1890 Baile, Robert, M.A. Ranelagh School, Athlone.
1893 Bailey, William F., M.A., Barrister-at-Law. 62, Harcourt-street, Dublin.
1894 Baillie, Major John R., J.P. Ballina.
1890 Baillie, Ven„ Richard JE., M.A., Archdeacon of Raphoe. Glendooen,
Letterkenny.
1897 Bain, Andrew, D.I., R.LC. Newcastle West, Co. Limerick.
1897 Baker, Samuel. The Knowle, Howth.
1898 Ball, H. Houston. 23, Richmond-road, South Kensington, London, S.W.
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
17
Ballard, Rev. John "Woods. Kilbrogan Hill, Bandon.
Ballintine, Joseph, J. P. Strand, Londonderry.
Banim, Miss Mary. Greenfield, Dalkey.
Bannan, E. T., B.A., District Inspector of Schools. Letterkenny.
Bardan, Patrick. Coralstown, Killucan.
Barr, John, Tyrone Constitution. Omagh.
Barrett, John, B.A. Mount Massey House, Macroom.
Barrington, Sir Charles Burton, Bart., M.A. (Dubl.), J. P., D.L. Glenstal
Castle, Co. Limerick.
BARRINGTON-WARD, Mark James, M.A., S.C.L. (Oxon.), F.R.G.S.,
F.L.S. Thorneloe Lodge, Worcester.
Barry, Rev. Michael, P.P. Ballylanders, Knockjong, Co. Limerick.
Barry, James Grene, J. P. Sandville House, Grange, Co. Limerick.
Battley, Colonel D'Oyly, J. P. Belvedere Hall, Bray, Co. Wicldow.
Beardwood, Right Rev. J. Camillus, Abbot of Mount St. Joseph, Roscrea.
Beater, George Palmer. Minore, St. Kevin's Park, Upper Ratbmines.
f Beattie, Rev. Michael. 6, Belvoir- terrace, University-street, Belfast.
BE ATT Y, Samuel, M.A.,M.B., M.Ch. Craigatin, Pitlochrie, N.B,
Beaumont, Thos., M.D., Dep. Surg. -Gen. Palmerston House, Palmerston
Park, Upper Rathmines.
Beazley, Rev. James, P.P. Tuosist, Kenmare.
Beere, D. M., M. Inst. C.E. Auckland, New Zealand.
Begley, Rev. John, C.C. Tournafulla, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick.
Bell, Thomas William, M.A. Barrister-at-Law. 2, Herbert-street, Dublin.
Bence-Jones, Reginald, J. P. Liselan, Clonakilty.
Bennett, Joseph Henry. Blair Castle, Cork.
Beresford, Denis R. Pack, J. P., D.L. Fenagh House, Bagenalstown.
Beresford, George De La Poer, J.P., D.L. Ovenden, Sundridge, Seven-
oaks.
Beresford, Rev. Canon, M.A. Inistioge Rectory, Co. Kilkenny.
Bergin, William, M.A., Professor of Natural Philosophy. Queen's College,
Cork.
Bermingham, Patrick Thomas. Glengariff House, Adelaide-road,
Kingstown.
Bernard, Walter, F.R.C.P. 14, Queen-street, Derry.
Berry, Henry F., M.A., Barrister-at-Law. Public Record Office, Dublin.
Berry, Rev. Hugh F., B.D. Fermoy.
Bestick, Robert. 5, Frankfort- avenue, Rathgar.
Bewley, Joseph. 8, Anglesea- street, Dublin.
Biddulph, Colonel Middleton W., J. P. Annaghmore, Tullamore.
Bigger, Frederic Charles. Ardrie, Antrim-road, Belfast.
Blake, Mrs. Temple Hill, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
Boland, Charles James. 6, Ely-place, Dublin.
Bolton, Charles Perceval, J. P. Brook Lodge, Halfway House, Waterford.
Bolton, Miss Anna. Rathenny, Cloughjordan.
Bourchier, Henry James, C.I., R.I.C. Quay House, Clonmel.
Bourke, Rev. Jobn Hamilton, M.A. Kilkenny.
Bowen, Henry Cole, M.A., J. P., Barrister-at-Law. Bowen's Court, Mallow.
Bowers, Thomas. Cloncunny House, Piltown.
Bowman, Davys. 10, Chichester-street, Belfast.
Boyd, J. St. Clair, M.D. 27, Victoria-place, Belfast.
Boyle, Rev. Joseph, C.C. Rossnakill, Letterkenny.
Braddell, Octavius H. Sarnia, Eglinton-road, Donny brook.
Brady, Rev. John Westropp, M.A. Rectory, Slane, Co. Meath.
Bray, John B. Cassin. 72, Eccles-street, Dublin.
Brenan, James, R.H.A., M.R.I. A., School of Art. Leinster Hous;;, Kildaie-
street, Dublin.
Brenan, Rev. Samuel Arthur, B.A. Knocknacarry, Co. Antrim.
Brereton, Fleet- Surgeon R. W. St. Nicholas' Rectory, Carrickfergus.
Brett, Henry Charles, B.E. 19, Wellington -road, Dublin.
Brew, Thomas Foley, F.R.C.S.I. The Cottage, Ennistymon.
Bridge, William, M.A. Solicitor, Roscrea.
Brien, Mrs. C. H. 4, Palmerston Park, Upper Rathmines.
B
18
Elected
1895
1891
1893
1888
1892
1866
1894
1894
1892
1884
1890
1891
1894
1866
1896
1888
1890
1884
1895
1890
1890
1895
1893
1894
1897
1897
1899
1892
1891
1891
1898
1857
1896
1897
1891
1894
1896
1896
1891
1897
1895
1891
1890
1890
1895
1898
1893
1895
1893
1899
1895
1894
1893
1888
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
Briscoe, Algernon Fetherstonhaugh, J. P. Curristown, Killucan.
BKODXGAN, Mrs. Piltown House, Drogheda.
Brophy, Michael M. 48, Gordon-square, London, W.C.
Brophy, Nicholas A. 6, Alphonsus-terrace, Limerick.
Bros, W. Law. Camera Club, Charing Cross-road, London, W.C.
Brown, Charles, J.P. The Folly, Chester.
Brown, Miss. 5, Connaught-place, Kingstown.
Browne, Daniel F., B.A., Barrister-at-Law. 28, Upper Mount-street,
Dublin.
Browne, Geo. Burro wes. Beechville, Knockbreda Park, Belfast.
Browne, James J. F., C.E., Architect. 23, Glentworth-street, Limerick.
Browne, Very Rev. R. L., O.S.F. Franciscan Convent, 4, Merchant's-
quay, Dublin.
Brownlow, Bev. Duncan John, M.A. Donoghpatrick Rectory, Navan.
Brunskill, Rev. K. C, M.A. Carrickmore, Co. Tyrone.
Brunskill, Rev. Worth Richardson, M.A. Kenure Vicarage, Rush.
Buckley, James. Primrose Club, St. James', London, S.W.
Buckley, Michael J. C. Montmorenci, Youghal, Co. Cork.
Budds, William Frederick, J.P. Courtstown, Tullaroan, Freshford.
Buggy, Michael, Solicitor. Parliament-street, Kilkenny.
Burden, Alexander Mitchell, C.E., County Surveyor. Kilkenny.
Burgess, Rev. Henry W., M.A., LL.D. The Rectory, Moate.
Burgess, John, J.P. Oldcourt, Athlone.
Burke, John, J. P., Consul for Mexico and Uruguay. Corporation -street,
Belfast.
Burke, Very Rev. Monsignor Edward W., P.P., V.F. Bagenalstown.
Burke, E. W. Sandy Mount, Abbeyleix.
Burke, Rev. Thomas, P.P. Kinvara, Co. Galway.
Burke, Rev. W. P. Catherine-street, Waterford.
Burnard, Robert, F.S.A. 3, Hillsborough, Plymouth.
Burnell, William. Dean's Grange, Monkstown.
Burnett, Rev. Richard A., M.A. Rectory, Graignamanagh, Co. Kilkenny.
Butler, Cecil, M.A., Barrister-at-Law. Milestown, Castle Bellingham.
Butler, William F., M.A., F.R.U.I., Professor of Modern Languages.
Queen's College, Cork.
Byrne, Edmund Alen, J.P. Rosemount, New Ross.
Byrne, Edward A. 21, Lower Water- street, Newry.
Byrne, Miss. 19, Main-street, Blackrock.
Cadic de la Champignonnerie, M. Edward, F. R.U.I. 76a, Upper Leeson-
street, Dublin.
Caffrey, James. 3, Brighton-terrace, Brighton-road, Rathgar, Dublin.
Caldwell, Charles Sproule, Solicitor. Castle-street, Londonderry.
Callary, Very Rev. Philip, P.P., V.F. Trim, Co. Meath.
Cameron, Sir Charles A., C.B., M.D., Hon. R.H.A. 51, Pembroke -road,
Dublin.
Campbell, A. Albert, Solicitor. 6, Lawrence -street, Belfast.
Campbell, Frederick Ogle. Main-street, Bangor, Co. Down.
Campbell, Rev. Joseph W. R., M.A. 19, Grosvenor-square, Dublin.
Campbell, Rev. Richard S. D., M.A., D.D. The Rectory, Athlone.
Campbell, Rev. William W., M.A., R.N. Maplebury, Monkstown.
Campbell, William Marshall. 12, Bedford- street, Belfast.
Carden, Lady. Templemore Abbey, Templemore.
Carey, William, Solicitor. 47, Grosvenor-square, Dublin.
Carlisle, David. Howe Avenue, Passaie, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Carmody, Rev. William P., B.A. Connor Rectory, Ballymena.
Carmody, Rev. Samuel, B.A. Craigs, Co. Antrim.
Carney, Thomas. Hibernian Bank, Cork.
Carolan, John, J.P. 77, North King-street, Dublin.
Carre, Fenwick, F.R.C.S.I. Letterkenny.
Carrigan, Rev. William, CO Durrow, Queen's County.
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
19
Elected
1893
1889
1893
1890
1897
1895
1893
1898
1894
1890
1893
1899
1895
1894
1896
1889
1896
1890
1892
Carrigan, William, Solicitor. Thurles.
Carroll, Anthony R., Solicitor. 47, North Great George' s-street, Dublin.
Carroll, Rev. James. C.C. Howth.
Carroll, William, C.E., M.R.I. A.I. Orchardleigh, West Wickham, Kent.
Caruth, Norman C.3 Solicitor. Flixton-place, Ballymena.
Casson, George W., J. P. 25, Clyde-road, Dublin.
Castle Stuart, Right Hon. the Earl of, J. P., D.L. Drum Manor, Cookstown.
Chadwick, John, jun. 30, September-road, Tuebrook, Liverpool.
Chambers, Sir R. Newman. 15, Queen-street, Londonderry.
Chapman, Wellesley Pole. 7, Mountjoy- square, Dublin.
Chearnley, Miss Mary. Cappoquin, Co. Waterford.
Chestnutt, Miss Margaret. Finnart, Antrim- road, Belfast.
Christie, Robert William, F.I.B. 21, Elgin-road, Dublin.
Clark, George W. O'Flaherty-, L.R.C.S.E. Down Asylum, Downpatrick.
Clark, Miss Jane. The Villas, Kilrea, Co. Londonderry.
Clarke, Mrs. Athgoe Park, Hazelhatch.
Cleary, Rev. Robert, M.A., Canon. Galbally Rectory, Tipperary.
Clements, Henry John Beresford, J. P., D.L. Lough Rynn, Leitrim.
Clements, William T., Asst. D.I.N.S. 6, Bellevue Park, Stranmillis-road,
Belfast.
t Clifden, Right Hon. Viscount, J. P., D.L. 19, Wilton- street, London, S.W.
Clonbrock, Right Hon. Lord, B.A. (Oxon.), H.M.L. {Vice-President, 1885-
1896.) Clonbrock, Aghascragh.
Coates, William Trelford, J. P. 7, Fountain- street, Belfast.
Coddington, Lieut. -Colonel John N., J. P., D.L. Oldbridge, Drogheda.
Coffey, Most Rev. John, D.D., Bishop of Kerry. The Palace, Killamey.
Coleman, Rev. Ambrose, O.P. St. Catherine's, Newry.
Coleman, James. Custom-house, Southampton.
Colgan, Nathaniel, M.R.I. A. 1, Bel grave -road, Rathmines.
Colgan, Rev. P., P.P. Menlogh, Ballinasloe.
Colhoun, Joseph. 62, Strand-road, Londonderry.
Colles, Alexander. 3, Elgin-road, Dublin.
Collins, E. Tenison, Barrister-at-Law. St. Edmunds, The Burrow,
Howth.
Collis, Rev. Maurice H. Fitzgerald, B.D. The Vicarage, Antrim.
Commins, John. Desart N. S., Cuffe's Grange, Kilkenny.
CONAN, Alexander. Mount Alverno, Dalkey.
Concannon, Thomas. Livermore, Alameda Co., California, U.S.A.
Condon, Very Rev. C. H., Provincial, O.P. St. Saviour's, Dublin.
Condon, Frederick William, L.R.C.P.I., &c. Ballyshannon.
Condon, James E. S., LL.D., Barrister-at-Law. 16, Warrington-place.
Dublin.
Conlan, Very Rev. Robert F., P.P., Canon. St. Micban's, Dublin.
Connell, Rev. John, M.A. 3, Palace-terrace, Drumcondra.
Connellan, Major James H., J. P., D.L. Coolmore, Thomastown
f Conway, Rev. David. Mountjoy, Lancaster Co., Pa., U.S.A.
Conyngham. O'Meara. Granville Hotel, Dublin.
Cookman, William, M.D., J. P. Kiltrea House, Enniscorthy.
Cooper, Anderson, J. P. Weston, Queenstown.
Cooper, Austin Damer, J.P. Drumnigh, Portmarnock.
Cooper, Mark Bloxham, Barrister-at-Law. 95,. Haddington-road, Dublin.
Coote, Rev. Maxwell H., M.A. Ross, Tullamore.
CORBALLIS, Richard J., M.A., J.P. Rosemount, Roebuck, Clonskeagh.
Corcoran, Miss, The Chestnuts, Mulgrave-road, Sutton, Surrey.
Corcoran, P. Abbey Gate-street, Galway.
Corish, Rev. John, C.C. Kilmyshall, Newtownbarry.
Cosgrave, E. Mac Dowel, M.D. 5, Gardiner's -row, Dublin.
Cosgrave, Henry Alexander, M.A. 67, Pembroke-road, Dublin.
Costello, Thomas Bodkin, M.D. Bishop-street, Tuam.
Costigan, William. Great Victoria-street, Belfast.
Coulter, Rev. George W. S., M.A. 9, Upper Garville-avenue, Rathgar.
Courtenay, Henry. Hughenden, Grosvenor-road, Rathgar.
Courtney, Charles Marshall. Mount Minnitt, Ballybrood, Pallasgrean.
b2
20
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
Elected
1892
COWAN, P. Chalmers, B. Sc., M. Inst. C.E. Local Government Board
Dublin.
Cowell, Very Bev. George Young, M.A., Dean of Kildare. Kildare.
Cox, Michael Francis, M.D., F.B.C.P.I., M.B.I.A. 45, Stephen's-green
Dublin.
Coyne, James Aloysius, B. A., District Inspector of National Schools. Tralee.
Craig, Yen. Graham, M. A., Archdeacon of Meath. St. Catherine's, Tullamore.
Cranny, John J., M.D. 17, Merrion-square, Dublin.
Crawford, Bobert T. Estate Office, Ballinrobe.
Creagh, Arthur Gethin, J. P. Carrahane, Quin, Co. Clare.
Creaghe, Philip Crampton, M.R.I. A. Hugomont, Ballymena.
Cromie, Edward Stuart, District Inspector of Schools. 12, St. John's Mall,.
Parsonstown.
Crone, John S., L.R.C.P.I. Kensal Lodge, Kensal Rise, London, N.W.
Crooke, T. Evans Beamish, J. P. Lettercollum, Timoleague.
Crookshank, Richard R. G. 8, Tivoli- terrace, South, Kingstown.
Crossley, Frederick W. 24, Nassau-street, Dublin.
Crosthwait, Thomas P. Sherard, B.A., M.Inst. C.E. 38, Pembroke-road,
Dublin.
Cuffe, Major Otway "Wheeler. "Woodlands, Waterford.
Cullen, T. W., Manager, National Bank. Dingle.
Cullin, John. Templeshannon, Enniscorthy.
Culverwell, Edward Parnall, M.A., F.T.C.D. The Hut, Howth.
Cummins, Rev. Martin, P.P. Clare Galway, Co. Galway.
Cunningham, Miss Mary E. Glencairn, Belfast.
Cunningham, Miss S. C. Glencairn, Belfast.
Cunningham, Rev. Robert, B.A. Ballyrashane, Coleraine.
Cunningham, Samuel. Fernhill, Belfast.
Curran, James P., Manager, Munster and Leinster Bank. Maryborough.
Cussen, J. S., B.A., D.I.N.S. Killarney.
Cuthbert, David. Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry.
Dallow, Rev. Wilfrid. Upton Hall, Upton, Birkenhead.
D'Alton, James Joseph. 10, Wellington-place, Dundalk.
Dalton, John P., M.A., D.I.N.S. Green Park, Limerick.
DALY, Rev. Patrick, C.C. The Palace, Mullingar.
Daniell, Robert G., J. P. Newforest, Co. Westmeath.
D'Arcy, S. A., L.R.C.P.I., L.R.C.S.I. Rosslea, Co. Fermanagh.
Dargan, Thomas. 9, Clifton Park-avenue, Belfast.
Darley, Arthur. 15, Pembroke-road, Dublin.
Darley, Henry "Warren. 15, Pembroke-road, Dublin.
DAVIDSON, Rev. Henry W., M.A. Abington Rectory, Murroe, Limerick,
t Davidson-Houston, Rev. B. C, M.A. St. John's Vicarage, Sydney-parade,
t Davis, Thomas. St. Margaret's, Foxrock, Co. Dublin.
Davy, Rev. Humphry, M.A. Kimmage Lodge, Terenure.
Dawkins, Professor W. Boyd-, F.S.A., F.K.S., F.G.S., &c. Woodhurst,
Fallowfield, Manchester.
Dawson, Joseph Francis, Inspector. Munster and Leinster Bank, Dame-
street, Dublin.
Dawson, Very Rev. Abraham, M.A., Dean of Dromore. Seagoe Rectory^
Portadown.
Deady, James P. Hibernian Bank, Navan.
Deane, Mrs. J. "William. Longraigue, Foulksmill, Co. "Wexford.
de Ferrieres, Frank Rethore, B.A. 11, Willoughby-place, Enniskillen.
Delany, Rt. Rev. John Carthage, Lord Abbot of Mount Melleray, Cappoquin.
DE LA POER, Edmond, J. P., D.L. Gurteen, Glensheelan, Clonmel.
De Moleyns, The Hon. Edward A., J.P. Dingle, Co. Kerry.
Denny, Francis Mac Gillycuddy. Denny-street, Tralee.
Denvir, Patrick J. National Bank, Limerick.
D'Evelyn, Alexander, M.D. (Dubl.). Ballymena.
Devenish-Meares, Major-General W. L., J.P., D.L. Meares Courts
Ballinacargy, Co. Westmeath.
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
21
Diamond, Eev. Patrick J. Port Stanley, Falkland Islands.
Dickenson, Col. Wykeham Corry. Earlsfort Mansions, Dublin.
Dickinson, James A. 8, Crosthwaite Park, Kingstown.
Dickson, Rev. William A. Fahan Rectory, Londonderry.
Dillon, Sir John Fox, Bart., J. P., D.L. Lismullen, Navan.
Dix, E. Reginald M'Clintock, Solicitor. 61, Upper Sackville- street, Dublin.
Dixon, Henry, Jun. 5, Cabra- terrace, Dublin.
Dodge, Mrs. Saddle Rock, Great Neck, Long Island, New York, U.S,
Doberty, George, J. P. Dromore, Co. Tyrone.
Doheity, Rev. William, C.C. St. Columba's Presbytery, Deny.
Donegan, Lieutenant- Colonel James H., J. P. Alexandra-place, Cork.
Donovan, St. Jobn Henry, J. P. Seafield, Tbe Spa, Tralee.
Doran, George Augustus, J. P., University-road, Belfast.
Dorey, Matthew. 8, St. Anne's-terrace, Berkeley-road, Dublin.
Dougherty, James B., M.A., Assistant Under-Secretary, Dublin Castle.
Douglas, M. C. Burren-street, Carlow.
Dowd, Rev. James, M.A. 7, Swansea-terrace, Limerick.
Dowling, Jeremiab, Sen., M.D. Nelson-street, Tipperary.
Downes, Thomas. Norton, Skibbereen.
Doyle, Edward. Charleville Lodge, Cabra, Dublin.
Doyle, Rev. Luke, P.P. St. Mary's, Tagoat, Wexford.
Doyle, M. J. N. S., Windgap, Co. Kilkenny.
Doyne, Charles Mervyn, M.A. (Cantab.), J. P., D.L. Wells, Gorey.
Doyne, James, J. P. Earl-street, Mullingar.
Dreaper, Richard H., Pbysician and Surgeon. Mossley, near Manchester.
Drew, Mrs. Gortnadrew, Alma-road, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.
Drought, Rev. Anthony, M.A. Kilmessan Rectory, Navan.
Dugan, Charles Winston, M.A. Oxmantown Mall, Parsonstown.
Duke, Robert Alexander, J. P., D,L. Newpark, Ballymote.
Duncan, George. 1, Cope-street, Dublin.
Duncan, James Dalrymple, F.S.A., F.S.A. (Scot.), Meiklewood, Stirling,
N.B.
Dunn, Michael J., B.A., Barrister-at-Law. 42, Upper Mount-st., Dublin.
Dunn, Valentine. 3, Raglan-road, Dublin.
Dunne, Francis Plunkett, J. P. Balivor, Banagher.
Dunne, Robert H. Plunkett, J. P. Brittas, Clonaslie, Queen's Co.
fDunsany, Right Hon. Lord, M.A. (Cantab.), J.P., D.L. Dunsany Castle,
Navan.
Durham, Dean and Chapter of, per C. Rowlandson. The College, Durham,
Dwan, Rev. John J., Adm. The Presbytery, Thurles.
Eagle, Edward. 60, Pembroke-road, Dublin.
Elcock, Charles. Curator, Museum, Royal-avenue, Belfast.
Elliott, Rev. Andrew. The Bar, Trillick.
Elliott, Rev. Anthony L., M.A. Killiney Glebe, Co. Dublin.
Elliott, Charles. 223, Amhurst-road, Stoke-Newington, London, N. E.
Ennis, Edward H., Barrister-at-Law. 41, Fitzwilliam-place, Dublin.
Ennis, Michael Andrew, J. P. Ardruadh, Wexford.
Entwistle, Peter. Free Public Museums, Liverpool.
Erne, Right Hon. the Countess of, care of Rev. J. H. Steele, Crom, Belturbet.
Esmonde, Sir Thomas Henry Grattan, Bart., M.P. Bally nastragh, Gorey.
Evans, Mrs. 87, Eccleston-square, London, S.W. ; Moville, Co. Donegal.
Everard, Rev. John, C.C. SS. Peter and Paul, Clonmel.
Everard, Lieut.-Col. Nugent Talbot, J. P., D.L. Randlestown, Navan.
Fahey, Very Rev. Jerome, P.P., V.G. St. Colman's, Gort.
Fahy, Rev. John G. Rectory, Waterville, Co. Kerry.
Fair, Richard B. Rosetta House, Rosetta Park, Belfast.
Fairholme, Mrs. 19, Waterloo -road, Dublin.
Falkiner, C. Litton, M.A., M.R.I.A., Barrister-at-Law. 9, Upper Merrion-
street, Dublin.
22
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
Elected
1891
1890
1888
1893
1897
1891
1892
1893
1887
1896
1898
1898
1898
1898
1897
1897
1898
1891
1894
1899
1890
1892
1898
1899
1868
1896
1891
1895
1899
1889
1897
1893
1899
1894
1884
1896
1877
1893
1891
1891
1888
1899
1897
1897
1889
1898
1891
1890
1891
1894
1895
1896
1890
1891
1894
Falkiner, Hon. Sir Frederick R., M.A., Recorder of Dublin. 4, Earlsfort-
terrace, Dublin.
Falkiner, Rev. T. Doran. 4, Marine-terrace, Bray.
Falkiner, Rev. William F. T., M.A., M.R.I. A. Killucan Rectory, Co
Westmeath.
Fallon, Owen, D.I.R.I.C. Ardara, Co. Donegal.
Faren, William. Mount Charles, Belfast.
Fawcett, George. Montevideo, Roscrea.
Fegan, William John, Solicitor. Market Square, Cavan.
Fennell, William J., M.R.I. A. I. Wellington -place, Belfast.
Fennessy, Edward. Ardscradawn House, Kilkenny.
Fenton, Mrs. St. Peter's Vicarage, 90, Westbourne-road, Birkenhead.
Fenton, Rev. Charles E. O'Connor, M.A. Edmund-street, Bradford.
Fenton, Rev. Cornelius O'Connor, M.A. 105, Botanic-road, Liverpool.
Fenton, Rev. S. L. O'Connor, M.A., Vicar of St. George's. Newcastle,
Staffordshire.
Fetherstonhaugh, Albany, B.A., Solicitor. 17, Eccles-street, Dublin.
Field, William, M.P. Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
Field, Miss. 6, Main-street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
Fielding, Captain Joshua, J. P., late 4th (R.I.) Dragoon Guards, Adjutant.
Royal Hospital, Kilmainham.
Fielding, Patrick J. D., F.C.S. 8, St. Joseph's-place, Cork.
Fisher, Rev. John Whyte, M.A., Canon. The Rectory, Mountrath.
Fitz Gerald, R. A. 47, Ailesbnry-road, Dublin.
FitzGibbon, Gerald, M.Inst. C.E. The White House, Heysham, Lancaster.
Fitz Patrick, P., D.I.N. S. Rathkeale.
Fitz Patrick, S. A. O. Glenpool, Terenure.
Fitz Simon, D. O'Connell. Glancullen, Golden Ball.
Fitzsimons, John Bingham, M.D. 14, St. Owen-street, Hereford.
Flanagan, James. Central Model Schools, Marlborough-street, Dublin..
Fleming, Hervey de Montmorency, J. P. Barraghcore, Goresbridge.
Fleming, James, Jun. Kilmory, Skelmorlie, Scotland.
Fleming, Miss H. S. G. Pallisade House, Omagh.
Fleming, Very Rev. Horace Townsend, M.A. The Deanery, Cloyne.
Fletcher, Rev. Victor J., M.A. Malahide.
Flood, Rev. James. 52, Sterling-place, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.
Flood, William H. Grattan, Enniscorthy.
Flynn, Very Rev. Patrick F., P.P. St. Anne's Presbytery, Waterford.
Fogerty, Robert, C.E., Architect. Limerick.
Foley, J. M. Galwey, C.I., R.I.C. Ennis. _
Forster, Sir Robert, Bart., D.L. 63, Fitzwilliam-square, Dublin.
Fortescue, Hon. Dudley F., J. P., D.L. Summerville, Dunmore East,.
Waterford.
Foster, Rev. Frederick, M.A. Ballymacelligott Glebe, Tralee.
jFox, Captain Maxwell, R.N., J. P., D L. 14, Brock-street, Bath.
Franklin, Frederick, F.R.I. A. I. Westbourne House, Terenure.
Fraser, William. Downsh ire -road, Newry.
Frazer, Henry. Lambeg N. S., Lisburn.
Frewen, William, Solicitor. Nelson-street, Tipperary.
Frizelle, Joseph. Sligo.
Fry, Matthew W. J., M.A., F.T.C. Trinity College, Dublin.
Furlong, Nicholas, L.R.C.P.I., L.R.C.S.I., M.R.I.A. Lymington, Ennis^
corthy.
Gallagher, Edward, J. P. Strabane.
Gallagher, William, Solicitor. English-street, Armagh.
Gamble, Major G. F. Mount Jerome, Harold's -cross
Garvey, Toler R., J. P. Thornvale, Moneygall.
Gait-Gamble, T. E., D.L, R.I.C. Adare, Co. Limerick.
Geoghegan, Michael. P. W. Hotel, Athlone.
Geoghegan, Thomas F. 2, Essex-quay, Dublin.
Geoghegan, William P. Rockfield, Blackrock.
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
23
Elected
1890
1895
1893
1899
1897
1892
George, "William E. Downside, Stoke Bishop, Clifton.
Gerish, W. Blythe. Ivy Lodge, Hoddesdon, Herts.
Gerrard, Rev. William J. The Rectory, Rathangan, Co. Kildare.
Gibson, Henry, J. P. Ardnardeen, Clontarf.
Gibson, Rev. Thomas B., M.A. The Rectory, Ferns.
Gilfoyle, Anthony Thomas, M.A., J. P., D.L. Carrowcullen House, Skreen,
Co. Sligo.
Gill, Michael J., B.A. Roebuck House, Clonskeagh.
Gill, R. P., A.M. Inst. C.E. Fattheen, Nenagh.
Gillespie, James, Surgeon. The Diamond, Clones,
t GILLESPIE, William, M.R.I.A. Racefield House, Kingstown.
Gilligan, Very Rev. Michael, Canon, P.P. Carrick-on- Shannon.
Gleeson, Gerald W. M. Gurthalougha, Borrisokane.
Gleeson, Paul. Kilcolman, Glenageary, Co. Dublin.
Gleeson, Michael, Crown Solicitor. Nenagh.
Glenny, James Swanzy, J.P. Altnaveigh House, Newry.
Gloster, Arthur B., B.A. Education Office, Marlborough-street, Dublin.
Glover, Edward, M. Inst. C.E. 19, Prince Patrick-terrace, N. Circular-road,,
Dublin.
Glynn, Patrick J. O'Connor. 10, Ulverton- place, Dalkey.
Glynn, Thomas. Meeiick Villa, 87, A.den Grove, Clissold Park, London, N.
Glynn, William, J.P. Kilrush.
Godden, George. Phoenix Park, Dublin.
Goff, Rev. Edward, B.A. Kentstown Rectory, Navan.
Goldsmith, Rev. E. J., M.A. 1, De Vesci-place, Monkstown.
Goodwin, Singleton, B.A., M.Inst. C.E. Tralee.
Gordon, R. A. Ulster Bank, Ballymote.
Gore, John, 52, Rutland-square, Dublin.
Gorman, James. General Valuation Office, Ely-place, Dublin.
Gorman, Venerable Wm. Chas., M.A., Archdeacon of Ossory. Rectory^
Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny.
Gosselin, Rev. J. H. Prescott, B.A. Muff Parsonage, Londonderry.
Gough, Joseph. 88, Grosvenor- square, Rathmines.
Grant, Colonel George Fox, J.P. Hilton, Mullinahone.
Gray, Robert, F.R.C.P.I., J.P. 4, Charlemont-place, Armagh.
GRAYDON, Thomas W., M.D. La Fayette Circle, Clifton, Cincinnati,
Ohio, U.S.A.
Greaves, Miss. 12, Rathgar-road, Dublin.
Greene, Herbert Wilson, M.A. Magdalen College, Oxford.
Greene, Mrs. J. Monte Vista, Ferns.
Greene, Mrs. T. Millbrook, Mageney.
t Greene, Lieut. -Col. John J., M.B. 23, Herbert-place, Dublin.
Greene, Thomas, LL.D., J.P. Millbrook, Mageney.
Greer, Thomas MacGregor, Solicitor. Ballymoney.
Grierson, Rev. Frederick J., B.A. St. Bride's, Oldcastle, Co. Meath.
Griffith, John E., F.L.S , F.R.A.S. Bryn Dynas, Bangor, N. Wales.
Griffith, Miss Lucy E. Glynmalden, Dolgelly, N. Wales; Arianfryn, Bar-
mouth.
Grubb, J. Ernest. Carrick-on- Suir.
Guilbride, Francis, J.P. Newtownbarry.
Guinness, Howard R. Chesterfield, Blackrock.
Hackett, Rev. Frederick John, M.A. Kildollagh Rectory, Coleraine.
Hackett, T. Kirkwood. General Valuation Office, Ely-place, Dublin.
HADDON, Alfred Cort, M.A., F.Z.S. Inisfail, Hill's-road, Cambridge.
Hade, Arthur, C.E. Carlow.
Hales, Mrs. A. Belvedere, Crystal Palace Park, Sydenham, S.E.
Hall, Rev. Alexander, B.A. Drogheda.
Hall, Ernest Frederick. The Lodge, Westport.
Hall, Thomas. Derrynure House, Baillieborough.
Hamilton, Mrs. Alfred. 14, Leeson-park, Dublin.
Hamilton, Everard, B.A. 30, South Frederick-street, Dublin.
24
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
Elected
1889
1891
1896
1899
1893
1876
1890
1899
1891
1889
1892
1890
1897
1895
1891
1893
1891
1898
1889
1895
1891
1891
1888
1869
1895
1896
1899
1897
1897
1897
1894
1892
1894
1889
1887
1892
1896
1879
1890
1889
1878
1898
1871
1899
1892
1893
1896
1863
1896
1890
1891
1890
1898
1894
1895
1896
Hanan, Rev. Denis, D.D. The Rectory, Tipperary.
Handy, Rev. Leslie Alexander, M.A. Skryne Rectory, Tara, Co. Meath.
Hannon, P. J. Clifton House, Loughrea,
Harding, Rev. Charles William, M.A., Canon. The Rectory, Dromore,
Co. Down.
Hardy, William J., LL.B., Barrister-at-Law, D.I.R.I.C. Ballymena.
Hare, Very Rev. Thomas, D.D., Dean of Ossory. Deanery, Kilkenny.
Harman, Miss Marion. Barrowmount, Goreshridge.
Harington, A. H., M.A. Moorock, Ballycumher, King's Co.
Harrington, Edward. 46, Nelson-street, Tralee.
Harris, Henry B., J. P. Mill view, Ennis.
Harrison, Charles William. 178, Great Brunswick-street, Dublin.
Hart, Henry Chichester, B.A., M.R.I.A., F.L.S., J. P. Carrabeagh, Port-
salon, Letterkenny.
Hartigan, P. Castleconnell, Limerick.
Hartley, Rev. Frederic J., B.A^, B.A.I. 2, Wellington-square, Kilkenny.
Harty, Spencer, M. Inst. C.E.I. City Hall, Dublin.
Hastings, Samuel. Church-street, Downpatiick.
Hayes, Rev. Francis Carlile, M.A. Rectory, Raheny.
Hayes, James, Church-street, Ennis.
Hayes, Rev. William A., M.A. 2, Carlisle-terrace, Omagh.
Haves, Thomas, C.I., R.I.C. 2, Eden-terrace, Limerick.
Headen, W. P., B.A. (Lond.), D.I.N. S. 32, Cabra-parade, Phibs-
borough .
Healy, George, J. P. Glaslyn, Clontarf.
Healy, Rev. John, LL.D., Canon. St. Columba's, Kells, Co. Meath.
Healy, Rev. William, P.P. Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny.
Healy, William, J. P. Donard View, Downpatiick.
Hearne, J. B. Chilcomb, New Ross.
Heatbcote, Miss Beatrice. Beechwood, Totton, Southampton.
HEMPHILL, Rev. Samuel, D.D., M.R.I. A. Birr Rectory, Parsonstown.
Henderson, William A. Belclare, Leinster-road, West, Dublin.
Hennessy, Bryan. 21, South-street, New Ross.
Henry, James, M.D. Swanpark, Monaghan.
Heron, James, B.E., J. P. Tullyvery House, Killyleagh, Co. Down.
Heron, James Mathers, M.D. Downpatrick.
Hewat, S. M. F., M.A. (Cantab). Abbeylands, Ballybrack, Co. Dubiin.
Hewson, Rev. Edward F., B.A., Canon. Rectory, Gowran, Co. Kil-
kenny.
Hibbert, Robert Fiennes, J. P. Woodpark, Scariff.
Hickey, Garrett A., M.D. Priory-place, New Ross,
t Hickson, Miss. Mitchelstown.
Higgins, Rev. Michael, Adm. Q,ueenstown.
Higinbotham, Granby. 46, Wellington Park, Belfast.
Hill, William H., B.E., F.R.I. B.A. Audley House, Cork.
Hillyard, Rev. Henry J., B.A. Charleville, Co. Cork.
Hinch, William A. 77, Long Acre, London, W.C.
Hingston, George, Collector of H. M. Customs. Custom House, Dublin.
Hitchins, Henry. 2, Crosthwaite Park, S., Kingstown.
Hoare, Most Rev. Joseph, D.D., Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois. St.
Mel's, Longford.
Hobson, C. J. 139, 141, West 125th-street, New York, U.S.A.
f Hodges, John F., M.D., F.C.S., F.I.C., J. P. Sandringham, Malone-road,
Belfast.
Hodges, Rev. John G. Tesaran Rectory, Banagher.
Hodgson, Rev. William, M.A. 32, Holford-square, London, W.C.
Hogan, Rev. Henry, B.D., Canon. All Saints' Vicarage, Phibsborough-
road, Dublin.
Hogg, Jonathan, D.L. 12, Cope-street, Dublin.
Hogg, Miss. Craigmore, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
Hoguet, Mrs. Henry L. Hotel d'Jena, Avenue d'Jena, Paris.
Holding, T. H. 7, Maddox-street, London, W.
Holland, Joseph. Holland House, Knock, Co. Down.
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
25
Elected
1898
1898
1889
1893
1899
1896
1895
1888
1887
1895
1895
1893
1895
1889
1890
1890
1898
1898
1858
1899
1896
1893
1898
1893
1891
1890
1896
1874
1893
1890
1893
1893
1889
1895
1889
1892
1894
1895
1892
1865
1896
1891
1891
1893
1895
1898
1889
1889
Holmes, John. 38, Haddington -road, Dublin.
Holmes, Mrs. 38, Haddington-road, Dublin.
Horan, John, M.E., M. Inst. C.E., County Surveyor. 8, Victoria-terrace,
Limerick.
Hore, Philip Herbert, M.R.I. A. Imperial Institute, London, S.W.
Horner, John, Chelsea. Antrim-road, Belfast.
Houston, Bev. J. D. Craig, B.D. Hydepark Manse, Belfast.
Huband, Bev. Hugo B., M.A. (Cantab.). Killiskey Bectory, Ashford, Co.
Wicklow.
Hudson, Bobert, M.D. Bridge House, Dingle.
Huggard, Stephen. Clonmore, Tralee.
Hughes, Benjamin. Independent Office, "Wexford.
Hughes, Miss Helen. 185, Bathgar-road, Dublin.
Hughes, Bev. John. St. Augustine's, Coatbridge, N.B.
Humphreys, Bev. John, B.A. The Manse, Tullamore.
Hunt, Edmund Langley. 67, Pembroke-road, Dublin ; and 81, George-st.,
Limerick.
Hunter, Thomas. Post Office, Glenarm.
Hurley, Bev. Patrick, P.P. Inchigeela, Co. Cork.
Hurst, Bev. John, C.C. Ballaghadereen.
f Hutchings, Bev. Henry, M.A. Fairy Villa, Sandymount-avenue.
Hyde, Henry Barry, F.S.S. 5, Eaton Bise, Ealing, London, AV.
Hynes, Miss. 55, Upper Leeson-street, Dublin.
Ireland, William. 44, Arthur- street, Belfast.
Irvine, Charles E. B. A. Lisgoole Abbey, Enniskillen.
Irvine, Captain William Henry (late The Buffs), Vallombrosa, Bray.
Irwin, Bev. Alexander, M.A. 6, Cathedral -terrace, Armagh.
Isaac, Very Bev. Abraham, B.A., Dean of Ardfert. Kilgobbin Bectory,
Camp, B.S.O., Co. Kerry.
Jackman, Bichard H. Alverno, Thurles.
Jackson, J. F. S. 1, Boyal-terrace, Fairview.
James, Charles Edward, M.B. Butler House, Kilkenny,
f Jameson, Ven. Archdeacon, M.A. Killeshin Parsonage, Carlow.
Jeffares, Bev. Danby, M.A. Lusk, Co. Dublin.
Jellett, Very Bev. Henry, D.D., Dean of St. Patrick's. The Deanery,
St. Patrick's, Dublin.
Jellie, Bev. William, B.A. 44, Burlington -road, Ipswich.
Jennings, Ignatius B. B., C.I.B.I.C. Elysium, Waterford.
Jephson-Norreys, Mrs. Atherton. The Castle, Mallow.
Johnston, James W., J. P. Newtownbutler.
Johnston, John W. Bossmore Agency Office, Monaghan.
Jones, Bryan John. 1st Leinster Begiment, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Jones, Bev. David, M.A., Canon of Bangor Cathedral. Llandegai,
N. Wales.
Jordan, Bev. William, M.A. St. Augustine's Moreland, Melbourne,
Australia.
Joyce, Patrick Weston, LL.D., M.B. I. A. Lyre-na-Grena, Leinster-road,
Bathmines.
Kavanagh, Very Bev. Michael, D.D., P.P., V.F. New Boss.
Keane, Lady. Cappoquin House, Cappoquin.
Keane, Miss Frances. Glenshelane, Cappoquin.
Keane, Marcus, J. P. Beech Park, Ennis.
Keatinge, Bev. P. A., O.S.F. Franciscan Convent, Waterford.
Keelan, Patrick. 13, Greville- street, Mullingar.
Keene, Charles Haines, M.A. 19, Stephen's-green, [and University Club,
Dublin.
Keene, Most Bev. James Bennett, D.D., Bishop of Meath. Navan.
26
Elected
1897
1888
1891
1885
1899
1890
1896
1898
1891
1891
1899
1893
1891
1898
1899
1891
1895
1893
1896
1894
1891
1899
1889
1898
1897
1897
1895
1865
1890
1890
1899
1895
1885
1895
1895
1890
1890
1897
1895
1891
1899
1891
1890
1893
1895
1889
1891
1894
1892
1890
1892
1891
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
Keith, James, B.A., Inspector of Schools. The Mall, Westport.
Kelly, Edmund Walsh. Bella Vista, Tramore.
Kelly, Francis James, J. P. Weston, Duleek.
Kelly, Ignatius S. Provincial Bank House, Cork.
Kelly, Rev. James, C.C. Doonpark, CladdadufT, Clifden, Co. Galway.
Kelly, Very Pev. James J., P.P., V.F. St. Peter's, Athlone.
Kelly, Pev. John, C.C. Dalkey.
Kelly, Dr. Joseph Dillon, J. P. 31, Earl-street, Mullingar.
Kelly, Pichard J., Barrister-at-Law, J. P. 21, Great Charles-street.
Dublin.
Kelly, Thomas Aliaga. 64, Upper Leeson-street, Dublin.
Kelly, Thomas J. 37, Kildare-street, Dublin.
Kennan, Williams P. Villa Madeleine, Arcachon, France,
f Kennedy, John. Ardbana House, Coleraine.
Kennedy, Rev. Thomas Waring. Ardamine Glebe, Gorey.
Kenny, Thomas Canice. 5, Brightonvale, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.
fKenny, Patrick. Grace Dieu, Clontarf.
Kenny, Thomas Hugh. 55, George-street, Limerick.
Kenny, William F., M.A., Barrister-at-Law. 69, Fitzwilliam-square,
Dublin.
Keimode, P. M. C, F.S.A. (Scot.). Hillside, Ramsey, Isle of Man.
Kernan, George. Hamilton, Ailesbury-road, Dublin.
Kernan, Rev. Richard Arthurs, B.D., Canon. The Rectory, Hillsborough.
Kerr, Miss. 2, College-avenue, Londonderry.
Kerr, Rev. Wm. John B. 70, Wharf-road, Grantham, Lincolnshire.
Kerrigan, Dr. Owen P. 35, Greville- street, Mullingar; and Castletown
Geoghegan, Co. Westmeath.
Kiernan, Mrs. Leitrim Lodge, Dalkey.
Kiernan, Thomas. Leitrim Lodge, Dalkey.
Killeen, John W., Solicitor. 32, Waterloo-road, Dublin.
KIMBERLEY, Rt. Hon. the Earl of, K.G. Kimberley House, Wymond-
ham, Norfolk.
King, Lucas White, LL.D., F.S.A., M.R.I.A., C.S.I. 7, Cambridge-
terrace, Leeson-park, Dublin.
King-Edwards, William, J. P. Dartans House, Castlederg.
Kinloch, Mrs. Kilfane House, Thomastown.
Kinnear, Ernest A. Ballyheigue Castle, Co. Kerry.
Kirkpatrick, Robert. 1, Queen' s-square, Strathbungo, Glasgow.
Knox, Miss K. Ennis, Co. Clare.
Laffan, P. M., L.R. C.P.I. Belper Hill, Tara, Co. Meath.
Laffan, Thomas, M.D. Cashel.
Langan, Rev. Thomas, D.D. St. Mary's, Athlone.
Langrishe, Mrs. Knocktopher Abbey, Co. Kilkenny.
Latimer, John. 11, Denny-street, Tralee.
Lawlor, Rev. Hugh Jackson, M.A., D.D. Trinity College, Dublin.
Lawlor, Rev. Thomas, P.P. Killorglin.
Lawson, Thomas Dillon. Bank of Ireland, Galway.
Lecky, Rev. Alexander Gourley, B.A. Feddyglass, Rapboe.
Ledger, Rev. William Cripps, M.A. The Rectory, Lisnaskea.
Ledger, Z. J. 27, George -street, Limerick.
Lee, Rev. Timothy, C.C. St. John's, Limerick.
Leech, Henry Brougham, LL.D., Regius Professor of Laws, Dublin. Yew-
Park, Castle-avenue, Clontarf.
Leeson-Marshall, M. R., Barrister-at-Law. 6, King's Bench Walk, Temple,
London, E.C.
LeFanu, Thomas Philip, B.A. (Cantab.). Chief Secretary's Office, Dublin
Castle.
Leonard, John. Lisahally, Londonderry.
Leonard, Mrs. T. Warrenstown, Dunsany, Co. Meath.
Lepper, Francis Robert, Director, Ulster Banking Co., Belfast.
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
Elected
1897
1895
1880
c/o B. F. Stevens,
U.S., c/o B. F. Stevens, 4, Trafalgar-
L'Estrange, Rev. A. G. Conna, Co. Cork.
Lett, B. A. W., J. P. Bally vergan , Adamstown, Co. Wexford.
Lett, Rev. Henry Wm., M.A., M.R.I. A., Canon. Aghaderg Glebe, Lough-
brickland.
Lewis, Professor Bunnell, M.A., F.S.A. Queen's College, Cork.
Lewis, Thomas "White, M.D. Kingscliffe, Wansford, Northamptonshire.
Librarian. Public Library, Armagh.
Librarian. Belfast Library, Linen Hall, Belfast.
Librarian. Belfast Free Public Library, Belfast.
Librarian. Free Public Library, Liverpool.
Librarian. Public Library, Boston, U. S.
Librarian. Detroit Public Library, Michigan, U. S.
4, Trafalgar- square, London.
Librarian. Astor Library, New York,
square, London.
Librarian. King's Inns Library, Henrietta-street, Dublin.
Librarian. Library of Advocates, Edinburgh.
Librarian. Limerick Institution. 99, George -street, Limerick.
Librarian. Limerick Protestant Young Men's Association. 97, George-street,
Limerick.
Librarian. Natural History and Philosophical Society, Armagh.
Librarian. Public Library, Melbourne, per Agent-General for Victoria.
15, Yictoria-street, Westminster, S.W.
Librarian. Queen's College, Belfast.
Librarian. Queen's College, Cork.
Librarian. Queen's College, Galway.
Librarian. Berlin Royal Library, per Messrs. Asher & Co., 13, Bedford-st.,
Covent Garden, London.
Librarian. St. Patrick's College, Maynooth.
Librarian. Science and Art Department, London, S.W.
Lindesay, Rev. William O'Neill, M.A. Alia, Ciaudy, Co. Deny.
Lindsav, Dr. David Moore, L.R.C.P.I., &c. 373, Main-street, Salt Lake
City," Utah, U.S.A.
Lindsay, James A., M.D., M.Ch. 37, Victoria-place, Belfast.
Lindsay, Rev. John Woodley, D.D. Athnowen Rectory, Ovens, Co. Cork.
Lindsay, Rev. Samuel, B.A. Prospect House, Dungannon.
Lipscomb, W. H. Church-road, Malahide.
Little, Philip Francis. 6, New Brighton, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.
Livingstone, Rev. Robert George, M.A. Brinkworth Rectory, Chippenham,
Wilts.
Lloyd, Mrs. Bloomfield, Mullingar.
Lloyd, William. 1, Pery-square, Limerick.
Lockwood, F. W., C.E., Architect. 16, Waring-street, Belfast.
Long, Mrs. 16, Appian-way, Dublin.
Longfield, Mrs. R. Curraglass Rectory, Tallow, Co. Cork.
Longfield, Robert 0. 19, Harcourt-street, Dublin.
Longfield, Thomas H., F.S.A., M.R.I. A. Science and Art Museum, Leinster
House, Dublin.
Longford, Right Hon. Selina, Countess of. Pakenham Hall, Castlepollard.
Lopdell, John. Stamer Park, Ennis.
Lough, Thomas, M.P. 49, Ashley Gardens, London, S.W.
Loughnan, Henry James, Barrister-at-Law. ' 39, Belvidere-place, Dublin.
Love, Hugh Thomas. Charieville-square, Tullamore.
Lovegrove, E. W., M.A., M.R.I. A. Trent College, Long Eaton, Derby-
shire.
Lowe, William Ross Lewin. Church Crescent, St. Alban's, Herts.
Lowndes, Thomas F., D.I.R.I.C. Woodford, Co. Galway.
Lowry, Henry. 71 , Great George's- street, Belfast.
Lowry, S. C. W., Manager, Ulster Bank, Downpatriek.
Lowry, Thomas. 2, Clarinda Park, East, Kingstown.
Lucas, Rev. Frederick John, D.D. 5, Breffhi-terraee, Kingstown.
Lunham, Colonel Thomas Ainslie, M.A., M.R.I. A., J. P. Ardfallen,
Douglas, Cork.
28
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
Elected
1894
1896
1893
1893
1888
1891
1894
1895
1890
1892
1899
1891
1891
1891
1892
1892
1894
1890
1894
1892
1894
1852
1891
1891
1895
1892
1887
1894
1892
1894
1893
1897
1897
1899
1888
1893
1898
1892
1891
1891
1890
1899
1895
1897
1899
1897
1891
1892
1884
1896
1887
1897
1893
1895
1892
1890
Lyle, Rev. Thomas, M.A. Dalriada, Howth-road, Dublin.
Lynam, F. J., County Surveyor. Omagh.
LYNCH, J. J. Towanda, Pa., U.S.A.
Lynch, Patrick. Inland Revenue Office, Athy.
Lynch, Rev. Patrick. St. Wilfrid's, Hulme, Manchester.
Lyster, Rev. H. Cameron. B.D. Rectory, Enniscorthy.
Lyster, Thomas W., M.A. 10, Harcourt-terrace, Dublin.
Macalister, R. Alexander Stewart, M.A. Torrisdale, Cambridge.
Macauley, Joseph, J. P., Solicitor, Donegall Chambers, Royal-avenue,
Belfast.
MacCartan, Very Rev. Owen, P.P., V.G. Larue.
Mac Enemy, Rev. Francis, C.C. Westland-row, Dublin.
Mac Gillycuddy, Daniel de Courcy, Solicitor. Day-place, Tralee.
Mac Gillycuddy, John, J. P. Aghadoe House, Killarney.
Mack, Rev. A. William Bradshavv, B.A. St. Finian's, Swords.
Mackenzie, John, C.E. 7, Donegall-square, E., Belfast.
Mac Mahon-Creagh, Mrs. Dangan, Kilkishen, Co. Clare.
Macmillan, Rev. John, M.A. 76, South Parade, Belfast.
Mac Mullan, Very Rev. Alexander, P.P., V.G. Ballymena.
Macnamara, George Unthank, L.R. C.S.I. Bankyle House, Corofin.
MacNeill, John Gordon Swift, M.A. (Oxon.), Q.C., M.P. 14, Blackhall-
street, Dublin.
Maconachie, Rev. James H., B.A. Erindale, Cliftonville-avenue, Bel-
fast.
Macray, Rev. Wm. Dunn, M.A., F.S.A. Ducklington, Witney, Oxon.
fMac Sheehy, Brian, LL.D. 35, Gardiner's-place, Dublin.
Mac William, Rev. John W. A. Glenavy via Lurgan.
M'Aleer, H. K. X. L. Bar, Sixmilecross, Co. Tyrone.
M'Alister, James, B.A., D.I.N. S. Scoby House, Enniscorthy.
M'Arthur, Alexander, J. P. Knox's-street, Sligo.
M'Bride, Francis, J. P. 39, Grovesnor- square, Rathmines.
M'Bride, John. Granville House, Belfast.
M'Bride, Joseph M. Harbour Office, Westport.
M'Burney, James. Loughconnolly, N.S., Broughshane.
M'Call, Patrick J., T.C. 25, Patrick-street, Dublin.
M'Cann, David. National Bank, Kilkenny.
M'Cann, James. Simmonscourt Castle, Donnybrook.
M'Carte, James. 51, St. George's Hill, Everton, Liverpool.
M'Carthy, Alexander, Solicitor. Town Clerk, Cork.
M'Carthy, Charles. 41, Paul-street, Cork.
M'Carthy, Samuel Trant, J. P. Srugrena, Cahirciveen.
M'Carthy, William P. Trant, Solicitor. Inch House, Killarney.
M'Clelland, William John, M.A. Santry School, Portarlington.
M'Clintock, Rev. Francis G. Le Poer, M.A. (Cantab.), Canon. Drumcar
Rectory, Dunleer.
M'Clintock, Miss Gertrude. Kihvarlin House, Hillsborough.
M'Comiskey, Arthur W. S., M.B. Killough, Co. Down.
M'Connell, James. 48, Lower Sackville-street, Dublin.
M'Connell, John, J. P. College-green House, Belfast; Rathmona, Donaghadee.
M'Cormick, William, M.A. Ardnaree, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.
M'Cormick, H. M'Neile. Oranmore, Craigavad, Belfast.
M'Creery, Alexander John. John-street, Kilkenny.
M'Crum, Robert G., J. P. Milford, Armagh.
M'Cully, Rev. William J., B.A. The Manse, Carlingford.
M'Cutchan, Rev. George, M.A. Rectory, Ker.mare.
M'Donnell, Mrs. 68, Rathgar-road, Dublin.
M'Donnell, Rev. Patrick, P.P. Graignamanagh, Co. Kilkenny.
M'Elhatton, Rev. John, C.C. Strabane.
M'Enery, D. T., M.A., D.I.N.S. The Terrace, Ennis.
M'Enery, M. J., B.A. Public Record Office, Dublin.
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
29<
M'Entire, Alexander Knox, Barrister-at-Law., J. P. 75, Merrion-square.
Dublin.
M'Fadden, Eight Rev. Monsignor Hugh, P.P., V.G. Parochial House,
Donegal.
M'Farlane, James, J. P. Strabane.
M'Gee, Rev. Samuel Russell, M.A. The Rectory, Dunlavin.
M'Gee, William, J.P. 18, Nassau-street, Dublin.
M'Glone, Rev. Michael, P.P. Rosslea, Clones.
M'llwaine, Robert. Secretary's Office, Downpatrick.
M'Inerney, Rev. John, P.P. Shinrone, King's Co.
M'Kean, Rev. William. The Manse, Strandtown, Belfast.
M'Kee, Robert, M.A. Harlesden College, Willesden, London, N.W.
M'Keefry, Rev. Joseph, C.C., M.R.I. A. Waterside, Derry.
M'Kenna, Rev. James E., C.C., M.R.I.A. St. Michael's Presbytery,
Enniskillen.
M'Kenna, Very Rev. James, P.P., Canon. Osier Hill, Brookeborough.
M 'Knight, John P. Nevara, Chichester Park, Belfast.
M'Larney, Rev. Robert, B.A., Canon. Banagher, King's Co.
M'Laughlin, Edward C. Cart Hall, Coleraine.
M'Manus, Very Rev. Canon, P.P. St. Catherine's, Meath-street, Dublin.
M'Nally, Charles F., J.P. Grange, Tullow, Co. Carlow.
M'Neill, Charles. Hazelbrook, Malahide.
M'Neill, John. Chancery Accounting Office, Dublin.
M'Nulty, Robert. Raphoe.
M'Redmond, Most Rev. Thomas J., D.D., Bishop of Killaloe. Bishop's
House, Ashline, Ennis.
M'Watters, Morgan J. Bank of Ireland, Omagh.
M 'William, William. Corlatt House, Monaghan.
Madden, Right Rev. James, P.P., V.G. St. Lawrence, Tynagh, Co.
Galway.
Maffett, William Hamilton, Barrister-at-Law. St. Helena, Finglas.
Magill, Charles. 15a, Donegall-place, Belfast.
Magrath, Redmond. 53, Clanbrassil- street, Dundalk.
Mahon, George Arthur, LL.B. Ijocal Government Board, Dublin.
Mahon, Thomas George Stacpoole, B.A. (Oxon.), J. P., D.L. Corbally,
Quin, Co. Clare.
Mahony, Bernard P. J., M.R.C.V.S. Annefield, Maryborough.
Mahony, Daniel, M.A., Barrister-at-Law. 8, Mount-street, Crescent,
Dublin.
Mahony, Denis M'Carthy, B.A., Barrister-at-Law. 1, Herbert-street,.
Dublin.
Mahony, Rev. Henry. 55, Belgrave-square, Dublin.
Mahony, J. J. Fort Villas, Queenstown.
Mahony, Thomas Henry. Clonard, Blackrock-road, Cork.
Malcomson, John. 47, Pembroke-road, Dublin.
Malone, Laurence. Innismaan, Queen's Park, Monkstown.
Malone, Mrs. Innismaan, Queen's Park, Monkstown.
Manders, Miss H. G. 17, Waterloo-road, Dublin.
Mangan, Richard. 5, Brighton Villas, Western-road, Cork,
f Manning, Rev. James, P.P. Roundwood, Co. Wicklow.
Manning, John Butler. 134, Capel-street, Dublin.
Mannion, Very Rev. Patrick, P.P., Canon. . The Presbytery, Elphin.
Mara, Bernard S. Tullamore, King's County.
March, Henry Colley, M.D. (Lond)., F.S.A. Portesham, Dorchester.
Martin, Rev. Richard D'Olier, M.A. All Saints Vicarage, via Water-
ford.
Martin, R. T. Rosemount, Artane.
Mason, Thomas. 5, Dame-street, Dublin.
Matthews, George. Holly mount, Maguire's-bridge, Co. Fermanagh.
Matthews, George E. 49, Upper Sackville-street, Dublin.
Maturin, Rev. Albert Henry, M.A. The Rectory, Maghera, Co. Derry.
Maunsell, William Pryce, B.A., Barrister-at-Law. 5, Martello-terrace,.
Kingstown.
30
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
Elected
1891
1893
Mayne, Thomas, F. R.G. S.I. 9, Lord Edward-street, Dublin.
Palmerstown House,
, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne, and
Templemore.
Lisnaskea.
Mayo, Right Hon. the Earl of, J.P., D.L.
Straff an.
Meade, Right Rev. William Edward, D.D
Ross. The Palace, Cork.
Meagher, Very Rev. "William, P.P., Canon.
Meegan, Right Rev. Monsignor Peter, P.P.
Meehan, Rev. Joseph, C.C. Belhavel, Dromahaire.
Ptleehan, Patrick A. Maryborough.
Melville, Alexander G., M.D. Knockane House, Portlaw.
Middleton, Shireff. 73, Eccles-street, Dublin.
Micks, William L., M.A. Local Government Board, Dublin.
Miller, Mrs. The Manse, Armagh.
MILLITER, Capt. Joshua Kearney. 4, Cross-avenue, Blackrock, Co.
Dublin.
Mitchell, William M., R.H.A., F.R.I. A. I. 5, Leinster-street, Dublin.
Moffatt, Rev. John E., M.D. 1, Palmerston Villas, Rathmines.
Moloney, Maurice T. Ottawa, Illinois, U.S.A.
Molony, Alfred. 24, Grey Coat Gardens, Westminster, S.W.
Molony, Henry, M.D. Odellville, Ballingarry, Limerick.
Molony, James Barry. Bindon-street, Ennis.
Monahan, Rev. Daniel, P.P. Tubber, Moate, Co. Westmeath.
Monks, Thomas F., LL.D., Solicitor. 16, Bachelor's- walk, Dublin.
Montgomery, Archibald V., Solicitor. 12, Molesworth- street, Dublin.
Montgomery, James. 5, Carlisle -road, Londonderry.
Montgomery, John Wilson, Downpatrick.
Mooney, Morgan. 118, Pembroke-road, Dublin.
Moony, George M. S. Enraght, J. P. The Doon, Athlone.
Moore, Rev. Courtenay, M.A., Canon. Rectory, Mitchelstown.
Moore, Rev. H. Kingsmill, M.A., Principal, Training College, Kildare-
street, Dublin.
Moore, Hugh Stuart, M.A. 7, Fitzwilliam- square, Dublin.
Moore, John Gibson, J. P. Llandaff Hall, Merrion.
Moore, Joseph H., M.A., M. Inst. C.E.I. 63, Eccles-street, Dublin.
Moore, William, Castle Mahon, Blackrock, Co. Cork.
Morgan, Arthur P., B.A. (Dubl.), D.I.N. S. Trevennen, Tipperary.
Morgan, Very Rev. John, D.D., The Deanery, Waterford.
Morris, Rev. Wm. Bullen. The Oratory, South Kensington, London,
S.W.
Morrison, Alexander Xerr. Maghera, Co. Derry.
Morrogh, Henry H. 5, Charlemont-terrace, Cork.
Morton, John. Manager, Provincial Bank, Limerick.
Mullan, Rev. David, M.A. Christian Union Buildings, Lower Abbey-street,
Dublin.
Mullan, Robert A., B.A. Cairn-hill, Newry.
Mullen, Frank. Custom House, Belfast.
Mullin, Charles, Solicitor. Omagh.
Mulqueen, John T., Inspector of Inland Revenue. Roseneath, Nairn, N.B.
Murphy, Rev. Arthur William, P.P. Kilemlagh, Cahirciveen.
Murphy, Rev. James E. H., M.A., M.R.I. A., Professor of Irish, Dublin-
University, Rathcore Rectory, Enfield, Co. Meath.
Murphy, Very Rev. Jeremiah, D.D., P.P. Macroom.
Murphy, Henry. Diamond, Clones.
Murphy, John J. Belvedere, Tramore, Co. Waterford.
Murphy, John J., H.M. Customs. Culgreine, Ballintemple, Cork.
Murphy, M. L. Ballyboy, Ferns.
Murphy, Miss. 77, Ulverton-road, Dalkey.
Murray, Archibald. Portland, Limerick.
Murray, Daly, J. P. Beech Hill, Cork.
Murray, J. W. Brady, LL.B., J.P. Northampton House, Kinvara.
Murtagh, Mrs. 116, Pembroke-road, Dublin.
Musgrave, Sir James, Bart., J. P., D.L. Drumglass House, Belfast.
Myles, Rev. Edward A., M.A. Tullylish Rectory, Gilford, Co. Down.
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
31
Elected
1889
1895
1897
1896
1892
1890
1891
1899
1893
1889
1890
1896
1898
1898
1894
1891
1898
1893
1889
1871
1890
1894
1890
1898
1893
1897
1895
1890
1892
1896
1890
1890
1892
1874
1894
1897
1895
1856
1889
1890
1896
1889
1898
1889
1895
1891
1888
1892
1884
1870
1896
1899
1897
1894
1891
Nash, Lieut-Colonel Edward, J.P. Beaufort House, Beaufort R. S. O.,
Kerry.
Nash, Richard G., J.P. Finnstown House, Lucan.
Nason, William H., M.A. 42, Dawson- street, Dublin.
Neeson, Rev. Arthur J., C.C. Lisburn.
Neill, Sharman D. 12, Donegall-place, Belfast.
Nelis, John. Londonderry.
Newell, P., B.A., D.I.N.S. Listowel.
Nichols, Mrs. Kilbrack, Doneraile, Co. Cork.
Nixon, James H. F., F.R.G.S., J.P. Mount Brandon, Graignamanagh.
Nolan, Michael J., M.D. Down District Asylum, Downpatrick.
Nolan, Pierce L., B.A., Barrister-at-Law. 6, St. Stephen's-green,
Dublin.
Nolan, William R., B.A. Brookville, Simmonscourt-avenue, Donnybrook.
Nooney, Patrick J., Solicitor. Mullingar.
Nooney, Thomas F., J.P. Earl-street, Mullingar.
Norman, Alfred, LL.D., Solicitor. 68, Dame-street, Dublin.
Norman, Conolly, F.R. C.P.I. Richmond Asylum, Dublin.
O'Brien, Daniel. West Park, Glasnevin.
O'Brien, James J. 1, Charlemont-terrace, Cork.
O'Brien, Rev. Lucius H., M.A. The Rectory, Adare, Co. Limerick.
O'Brien, Robert Vere, B.A. (Oxon.), J.P. Ballyalla, Ennis.
O'Callaghan, Mrs. Maryfort, O'Callaghan's Mills, Limerick.
O'Callaghan, Rev. Joseph. 59, Eccles-street, Dublin.
O'Callaghan-Westropp, lieut.-Col. George, J.P. Coolreagh, Bodyke.
O'Connell, Michael, Alta Villa, Listowel.
O'Connor, Charles A., M.A., Q.C. 50, Upper Mount-street, Dublin.
O'Connor, M. J., Solicitor. 2, George-street, Wexford.
O'Connor- Morris, Miss L. Gartnamona, Tullamore.
O'Connor, Rev. T. C, M.A., Canon. Donaghmore, Baltinglass.
O'Connor, Thomas P., B.A., D.I.N.S. 1, Lansdowne -villas, Ashley Park,
Belfast.
O'Dea, Rev. Denis, C.C. Birr.
O'Doherty, Rev. Philip, C.C, M.R.I. A. St. Columb's Presbytery, Derry.
O'Donnell, Rev. Patrick, P.P. Doon, Pallasgrean.
O'Donoghue, David J. 3, Bedford-row, Dublin.
O'Donoghue, Rev. Denis, P.P., M.R.I.A. Ardfert, Tralee.
O'Donoghue, The. 10, Gardiner's-place, Dublin.
O'Duffy, John, L.D.S., R. C.S.I. 54, Rutland-square, Dublin.
O'Halloran, Patrick M. Corofin, Co. Clare.
O'Hanlon, Very Rev. John, P.P., M.R.I.A., Canon. 3, Leahy- terrace,
Irishtown, Dublin.
O'Hanrahan, Timothy Wm., J.P. Parliament-street, Kilkenny.
O'Hara, Right Rev. John M., Monsignor, P.P., V.F. Crossmolina.
O'Hennessy, Bartholomew. Kilkee.
O'Keefe, Stephen M., B.A., Barrister-at-Law, J.P. Delville, Glasnevin.
O'Keeffe, John G. War Office, Pall Mall, London, S.W.
Olden, Rev. Thomas, M.A., D.D., M.R.I.A. Ballyclough, Mallow.
Oldham, Miss Edith. 33, Upper Leeson-street, Dublin.
0' LEAHY, Rev. Edward, P.P. Balyna, Moyvalley.
O'Leary, John. 17, Temple-street, Dublin.
O'LEARY, Rev. John, P.P. Kilmalchedor, Ballyferriter, Dingle.
O'LEARY, Patrick. Main-street, Graig-na-Managh, Co. Kilkenny.
O'Loghlen, John. 188, Burdett-road, London, E.
O'Mahony, Florence M'Carthy. Minister and Leinster Bank, Tralee.
O'Malley, Arthur M. The Quay, Westport.
O'Malley, Joseph, B.E. 10, Glentworth-street, Limerick.
O'Malley, Middleton Moore, J.P. Ross, Westport.
O'Malley, Thomas, Secretary, Waterford, Dungarvan, and Lismore Railway
Company. Tramore, Waterford.
32
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
Elected
1891
1894
1891
1890
1892
1889
1863
1898
1896
1870
1890
1887
1894
1891
1899
1860
1889
1898
1898
1890
1894
1894
1879
1888
1890
1896
1899
1892
1868
1889
1897
1890
1890
1895
1895
1893
1890
1887
1888
1896
1898
1894
1894
1873
1890
1891
1887
1891
1899
1893
1894
1892
1897
1884
1876
1868
O'Meara, John J., Solicitor, T.C. 211, Great Brunswick-street, Dublin.
O'Morchoe, The. Kerrymount, Foxrock.
O'Morchoe, Bev. Thomas A., M.A. Kilternan Bectory, Golden Ball.
O'Mulrenin, Bichard J., M.A. 6, Carlisle-street, S. C. Boad, Dublin.
O'Neill, Bev. James, M.A. 5, College-square, E., Belfast.
O'Neill, Michael. Imperial Hotel, Kilkenny.
O'Neill, Very Bev. Archdeacon, P.P., V.F. Clontarf, Dublin.
O'Beilly, Bev. Edward, Adm. The Palace, Mullingar.
O'Biordau, Bev. John, C.C. Cloyne.
Ormonde, Most Hon. the Marquis of, K.P. The Castle, Kilkenny.
Orpen, Yen. Baymondd'A., M.A., Archdeacon of Ardfert. Bectory, Tralee.
Orpen, Goddard H., B.A., Barrister-at-Law. Monksgrange, Enniscorthv.
Orpin, John. 47, St. Stephen's-green, Dublin.
Orr, Jacob, J. P. Cranagill, Loughgall.
Osborne, Bev. J. Denham, M.A. 27, Belvidere-place, Dublin.
O'Shee, N. Power, J.P., D.L. Garden Morris, Kilmacthomas.
O' Sullivan, Bight Bev. Monsignor, Archdeacon, P.P., V.G. Holy Cross,,
Kenmare.
O' Sullivan, Michael. Prospect House, Wexford.
O'Toole, Arthur. 5, Foster-place, Dublin.
Oulton, Bev. Bichard C, M.A., B.D., Glynn Bectory, Glynn, Belfast.
Overend, Trevor T. L., LL.B. 12, Ely-place, Dublin.
Palmer, J. E. Boselawn, Ballybrack.
Palmer, Mrs. Carrig House, Lower Boad, Cork.
Panton, John. 45, St. Andrew-street, Dublin.
Parke, Bobert H., LL.B., Solicitor. Monaghan.
Parkinson, Miss. Westbourne, Ennis.
Paterson, Thomas. Tildarg, Merrion-road, Dublin.
Patterson, Mervyn S. Tullyard, Dungannon.
Patterson , "William Hugh, M.B.I. A. Garranard, Strandtown, Belfast.
Patton, Alexander, M.D. Farnham House, Finglas, Co. Dublin.
Penny, Bev. James A., M.A. (Cantab). Wispington Vicarage, Horncastle,,
Lincolnshire.
Pentland, Augustus Tichborne, M.A. 54, Wellington -road, Dublin.
Pentland, George Henry, B.A., J. P. Black Hall, Drogheda.
Perry, James, M.E., M. Inst. C.E., County Surveyor. Well Park,.
Galway.
Persse, Mrs., A. T. Ormonde View, Ballycrissane, Ballinasloe.
Peter, Miss. Cron Bryn, The Hill, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.
Phelps, Ernest James. Water Park, Castleconnell.
Phibbs, Owen, J. P., D.L. Seafield, Sligo.
Phillips, James J., C.E., Archt. 61, Boyal-avenue, Belfast.
Piatt, Arthur Donn, Vice-Consul, U.S.A. 204, Great Brunswick-street,
Dublin.
Pirn, Edward W., J. P. 27 & 29, High-street, Belfast.
Pirn, Miss Mary E. Greenbank, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.
Pirn, Miss Miriam. 2, Belgrave-square, S., Monkstown, Co. Dublin.
Pitt-Bivers, General A. H. Lane-Fox, D.C.L., F.B.S., F.S.A., Hon.
M.B.I.A. Bushmore, Salisbury.
Plummer, Bev. Bichard, D.D. Ashfield Glebe, Cootehill.
Plunkett, Ambrose, B.A., Solicitor. 29, Lower Leeson- street, Dublin.
Plunkett, Thomas, M.B.I.A. Enniskillen.
Poe, Lieut.-Col. Wm. Hutcheson, C.B., J.P., D.L. Heywood, BallinakilL
Pollock, Hugh, Barrister-at-Law. 50, Northumberland-road, Dublin.
Pounder, Festus Kelly, B.A. St. John's-terrace, Enniscorthy.
Powell, Frederick York, M.A. Professor, Christ Church, Oxford.
Powell, Bev. William H., D.D. Bathclarin Bectory, Kilbrittain.
Power, Ambrose William Bushe. Glencairn Abbey, Lismore.
Power, Bev. George Beresford, B.A. Kilfane Glebe, Thomastown.
Power, Bev. John, P.P. Kilteely, Pallasgrean, Co. Limerick.
Power, Laurence John, J. P. Parade, Kilkenny.
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
33
Elected
1884
1889
1894
1890
1894
1890
1894
1898
Power, Eev. Patrick. St. John's College, "Waterford.
Pratt, Rev. John, M.A. (Dubl.). Rectory, Durrus, Co. Cork.
Pratt, Rev. Philip, C, R.N. Woodview Cottage, St. Anne's Hill, Co. Cork.
Preston, Captain John, R.M. The Moorings, Athlone.
Price, J. Spencer, F.R.G.S. 4, Augusta Gardens, Folkestone.
Purdon, Henry Samuel, M.D. 60, Pakenham-place, Belfast.
Purefov, Rev. Amyrald D., M.A. 3, Park-place, Island Bridge.
Puxley, Rev. Herbert Lavallin, M.A. (Oxon.) Catton Rectory, Stamford-
bridge, York.
f Quail, Rowland, J. Downpatrick.
Quan-Smith, Samuel A. Bullick Castle, Dalkey, Co. Dublin.
Quin, James, J. P. 70, George -street, Limerick.
Quinn, John A., Solicitor. Dungannon.
Quinn, J. Monsarrat. 4, Kildare-place, Dublin.
Quinn, Rev. Bartholomew, Adm. Tourlistrane, Tubbercurry.
Quinn, Very Rev. Edward T., Canon, P.P. Ballybrack.
Rankin, Rev. R. B., B.A. All Saints, Newtown-Cunningham.
Raphael, George. Galgorm House, Ballymena.
Rapmund, Rev. Joseph, C.C. Lakeland House, Anyalla, Co. Monaghan.
Rawlence, Mrs. 12, Ovington- square, London, S.W.
Read, Miss. 3, Lower Merrion- street, Dublin.
Redington, Miss Matilda. Kilcornan, Oranmore.
Reid, John Gambell, Solicitor. Castleblaney.
Revelle, Samuel J. 37, Chelmsford-road, Dublin.
Reynell, Miss. 22, Eccles-street, Dublin.
Rice, Mrs. Grange Erin, Douglas, Cork.
Rice, Lieut. -Colonel Richard Justice, J. P. Bushmount, Lixnaw.
Rice, Thomas. 5, Carlisle -street, Dublin.
Richardson, Miss Anna H. Craigentemple, Portrush.
Richey, Henry A., B.A., Barrister-at-Law, 13, Lower Pembroke-street,
Dublin.
Ridgeway, William, M.A. Fen Ditton, Cambridge.
Roberts, Edward, M.A., H.M. Inspector of Schools. Plas Maesincla,
Carnarvon.
Roberts, George C, J. P. Summer Hill, Enniscorthy.
Robertson, John. 1, Rostrevor-terrace, Rathgar.
Robinson, Thomas. Drogheda.
Roche, H. J. The Maltings, Enniscorthy.
Roche, Patrick J. The Maltings, New Ross.
Rock, Thomas Dennis. 62, Leadenhall-street, London, E.C.
Roe, Rev. John, C.C. Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny.
Rogers, William E. Belfast Banking Company, Portaferry.
Roice, Bernard Herron. Churchtown House, Tagoat.
Rolleston, Thomas William, B.A. 104, Pembroke-road, Dublin.
{Rooke, Rev. George W., M.A. Precentor, St. Canice's Library, Kilkenny.
Rooney, Rev. Thomas J., C.C. Banbridge.
Rooney, William. 23, Leinster-avenue, North Strand-road, Dublin.
ROTHERAM, Edward Crofton. Belview, Crossakiel, Co. Meath.
Russell, John, C.E. 16, Waring-street, Belfast.
Ryan, Very Rev. Arthur, President, St. Patrick's College, Thurles.
RYAN, Very Rev. Francis M., Canon, P.P. 39, Eccles-street, Dublin.
Ryan, Rev. James J., V.-P. St. Patrick's College, Thurles.
Ryan, Rev. Martin, C.C. Cullen, Tipperary.
Ryan, Thomas V., Solicitor. 46, St. Stephen's-green, Dublin.
Ryder, Arthur Gore, M. Inst. C.E. 2, St. John's-terrace, Dolphin's Barn.
Ryland, Richard H., B.A., Barrister-at-Law. 26, Herbert-place, Dublin.
C
34
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
Elected
1895 Salazar, The Cavaliere Lorenzo. Director of the Bibliotheca S. Martino,
Naples.
1891 Salmon, John. 122, Ellenborough-tenace, Belfast.
1897 fSandford, Rev. Herbert JE., M.A. St. Peter's Rectory, Drogheda.
1889 Sankey, Lieut. -General Sir Richard H., K.C.B., M.R.I. A. 32, Grosvenor-
place, London, S.W.
1894 Sayers, Rev. George, Canon. The Glehe, Upper Ballinderry, Co. Antrim.
1894 Scott, Anthony, Archt. 16, William- street, Drogheda.
1879 Scott, Rev. Charles, M.A. St. Paul's Parsonage, Belfast.
1892 Scott, Conway, C.E. 15, Wellington Park, Belfast.
1891 Scott, John William, J. P. Roslevan, Ennis.
1892 Scott, Samuel. Inland Revenue Office, Elgin, N.B.
1894 Scott, William A., Archt. 16, William-street, Drogheda
1898 Scott, William A. 24, Rathdown-road, Duhlin.
1891 Scriven, Rev. Rowland, M.A. (Cantab.), M.R.I. A. Balbriggan.
1891 Scully, Very Rev. Alex. F., Canon, P.P., V.F. Hospital, Co. Limerick.
1899 Sellens, Frank Marshall James. The Village House, Raheny.
1892 Senrple, Rev. R. H., M.A. 25, Barrington-street, Limerick.
1891 Sexton, Sir Robert, J. P., D.L. 70, Harcourt-street, Dublin.
1896 Shackleton, George. Anna Liffey House, Lucan.
1892 Shackleton, Mrs. J. F. Anna Liffey House, Lucan.
1891 tShannon, Patrick, D.I.N. S. 10, Patrick-street, Kilkenny.
1897 Shaw, Rev. George Bell. Claggan Manse, Cookstown.
1895 Shaw, His Honor Judge, M.A. 69, Pembroke-road, Duhlin.
1898 Shaw, Thomas J., J. P. Mullingar.
1896 Sheridan, Mrs. St. Helen's, Rathgar-road, Dublin.
1896 Sheridan, Rev. N. T., President. St. Peter's College, Wexford.
1898 Sherwin, Rev. James P. St. Michael's Hospital, Kingstown.
1896 Shore, Colonel the Hon. Frederick J., R.A. Bally duff, Thorn astown, Co.
Kilkenny.
1896 Shore, The Hon. Mrs. Ballyduff, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny.
1894 Simmons, John, Solicitor. Dungannon.
1890 Simms, James. Ahercorn Arms, Strabane.
1895 Simpson, Mrs. West Church Manse, Ballymena.
1887 Simpson, William M. 15, Hughenden-terrace, Belfast.
1893 Sherrington, Joseph Bartholomew, M.A., LL.D., D.I.N.S. Waterford.
1898 Sloan, Rev. Isaac, M.A. The Manse, Ballyreagh, Ballygawley.
1888 Sloane, Mrs. Moy Hill, Co. Tyrone.
1893 Small, John F., Solicitor. 37, Hill-street, Newry.
1895 Small, Miss M. J. Hill-street, Newry.
1892 Smith, Christopher, D.I.N.S. Woolahara, Cork.
1894 Smith, Rev. George Nuttall, B.A. Enniskerry.
1898 Smith, John, B.E., M. Inst. C. E., Co. Surveyor. Ballinasloe.
1887 Smith, Owen. Nobber, Co. Meath.
1890 Smith, Rev. Canon, D.D. St. Bartholomew's, Clyde-road, Dublin.
1895 Smith, Thomas J., D.L, R.I.C. Waterford.
1893 Smith, William Joseph, J. P. 9, George-street, Waterford.
1889 Smithwick, Edmund, J. P. Kilcrene House, Kilkenny.
1893 Smyth, Edward Weber, J.P. 6, St. Stephen's-green, Dublin.
1895 Smyth, Mrs. E. Weber. 73, St. Stephen's-green, Dublin.
1894 Smyth, John, B.A. Fernbank, Sligo.
1894 Smyth, Richard O'Brien, C.E., Archt. 2, Kenilworth-square, Dublin.
1895 Smyth, Robert Wolfe, J.P. Portlick Castle, Athlone.
1897 Smyth, Thomas. 2, Lower Ormond-quay, Dublin.
1894 Smyth, Victor E. 7, Uxbridge-terrace, Dublin.
1892 Somerville, Bellingham Arthur. Clermont, Rathnew.
1891 Somerville-Large, Rev. William S., M.A. Carnalway Rectory, Kilcullen.
1897 Spaight, Colonel William F. Union Hall, Leap, Co. Cork.
1892 Sparrow, Robert, D. I. R.I.C. Gort.
1890 Stack, Rev. C. Maurice, M.A. Derryvullan Rectory, Tamlaght, Ennis-
killen.
3 892 Stacpoole, Mrs. Edenvale, Ennis.
1895 Stacpoole, Miss. Edenvale, Ennis.
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
35
Elected
1889
1893
1879
1890
1894
1895
1892
1891
1894
1893
1898
1893
1889
1890
1898
1893
1899
1891
1893
1892
1895
1893
1890
1887
1899
1889
1879
1891
Stanford, Rev. Bedell, M.A. (Dubl.). 19, Stamer- street, Dublin.
Stanley, Rev. William Francis, C.C. St. Vincent's, Altrincham.
Stawell, Jonas W. Alcock, J.P. Kilbrittain Castle, Co. Cork.
Steede, John, LL.D., D.I.N.S. Dundalk.
Steele, Charles W. 18, Crostbwaite Park, Kingstown.
Steele, Rev .William B., B.A. Levally Rectory, Enniskillen.
Stephen, Miss Rosamond. Godmanchester, Huntingdon.
Stephens, Pembroke Scott, Q,.C. Plowden Buildings, Temple, London.
Stephens, Samuel. Martello-terrace, Holywood, Co. Down.
Stewart, Rev. Harvey, M.A. All Saints Rectory, Blackrock.
Stewart, Rev. Joseph Atkinson. Killowen, Lisburn.
Stirling, William, F.R.I.A.I., C.E. 4, College-green, Dublin.
Stirrup, Mark, F.G.S.L. High Thorn, Bowden, Cheshire.
Stoker, Mrs. 72, Rathgar-road, Dublin.
Stokes, Henry J., Barrister-at-Law, Ballynariagh, Howth.
Stoney, Colonel Francis (late R.A.), J.P. The Downs, Delgany.
Stoney, Robert Vesey. Rossturk Castle, Westport.
jStoney, Sadleir, J. P., Barrister-at-Law. 42, Dawson-street, Dublin.
tStonham, Rev. Frank, M.A. (Oxon.), Fermoy College, Co. Cork.
Stoyte, William James, J.P. Green Hill, Kinsale.
Strangeways, William N. Breffni Villa, Eglinton-road, Donnybrook.
Stubbs, Henry, M.A., J.P., D.L. Danby, Bally shannon.
Stubbs, William Cotter, M.A., Barrister- at- Law. 28, Hatch-street, Dublin.
Sullivan, Sir Edward, Bart., B.A. 2, Harewood-place, London, S.W.
Sutherland, William. Provincial Bank, Clogheen, Co. Tipperary.
Swan, Percy S. Manager, Bank of Ireland, Tipperary.
Swanston, William. 4a, Cliftonville-avenue, Belfast.
Sweeny, Rev. Patrick, M.A. Ballinacourty Rectory, Annascaul R.S.O.,
Co. Kerry.
Synnott, Nicholas J., B.A. (Lond.), Barrister-at-Law. Furness, Naas.
Tarleton, Mrs. The Abbey, Killeigh, Tullamore.
Tarleton, Thomas. 30, Ormond-road, Rathmines.
Tate, Alexander, M. Inst. C.E.I. Rantalard, Belfast,
f Taylor, Edward. The Factory, Limerick.
Teague, Bernard. St. Michael's Schools, Enniskillen.
Telford, Rev. William H. Reston Free Church Manse, Berwickshire.
Tempest, William, J.P. Douglas-place, Dundalk.
Ternan, Obadiah, M.D. Enniskillen.
Thomas, W. J. Mullingar.
Thunder, Francis P. Municipal Buildings, Cork-hill, Dublin.
Tivy, Henry L., J.P. Barnstead, Blackrock, Cork.
Tohill, Rev. John, Adm. St. Peter's, Milford-street, Belfast.
Toler-Aylward, Hector J. C, J. P., D.L. Shankill Castle, Whitehall, Co.
Kilkenny.
fToler, Hector R. G., J.P., D.L. Durrow Abbey, Tullamore.
Toner, Rev. Joseph. Atlantic -avenue, Pittsburg, U.S.A.
TORRENS, Thomas Hughes, J.P. Edenmore, Whiteabbey, Co. Antrim.
Townsend, George C. Cordangan Manor, Tipperary.
Townsend, Very Rev. William C, D.D. 1, Leeson Park, Dublin.
Townshend, Thomas Courtney, B.A. (Dubl.). 23, South Frederick- street
Dublin.
Traill, William A., M.A., C.E. Giant's Causeway, Bushmills.
Trench, John Townsend, J.P. Lansdowne Lodge, Kenmare.
Tresilian, Richard S. 9, Upper Sackville-street, Dublin.
Trimble, Andrew, M.B., B.Ch. 2, Violet-terrace, Crumlin-road, Belfast.
Truell, Henry Pomeroy, M.D., J.P., D.L. Clonmannon, Rathnew, Co.
Wicklow.
Tuite, James, M.P. 14, Greville- street, Mullingar.
Turner, Robert. English-street, Armagh.
Turtle, Frederick Locke. The Villa, Aghalee, Lurgan.
Twigg, Rev. Thomas, D.D., Canon. Vicarage, Swords, Co. Dublin.
36
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
Elected
1893
1897
1890
1891
1889
1899
1895
1890
1892
1896
1896
1897
1894
1896
1890
1891
1890
1889
1898
1899
1899
1896
1896
1896
1884
1896
1890
1896
1898
1895
1896
1888
1891
1889
1895
1893
1895
1889
1895
1891
1892
1887
1889
1883
1899
1890
1880
1899
Ussher, Richard John, J. P. Cappagh House, Cappagh R.S.O., Co. Water-
ford.
Vanston, George T. B., LL.D., Barrister-at-Law. Hildon Park, Terenure-
road, Bathgar.
Vaughan, Joseph, J. P. Mount View, Athlone.
Venables, William J. Gortalowry House, Cookstown.
Vincent, Rev. Marshall Clarke, M.A. (Oxon.). South Hill, Nenagh.
Wade, Thomas G. 28, Upper Fitzwilliam- street, Dublin.
Walby, James, Engineer. Post Office Telegraph Department, Belfast.
Waldron, Laurence A., M.R.I. A. 10, Anglesea- street, Dublin.
Walkington, Miss, M.A., LL.D. Edenvale, Strandtown, Co. Down.
Wall, Walter Saunders, J. P. Errislarian, Clifden, Co. Galway.
Wallace, Charles John, M.A., J. P. Belfield, Booterstown.
Wallace, Major Robert H. Downpatrick.
Walpole, Thomas, C.E., M. Inst. N.A. Windsor Lodge, Monkstown, Co.
Dublin.
Walsh, John Edward, M.A. (Dubl.), Barrister-at-Law, J. P. Belville,
Donnybrook.
Walsh, Rev. James H., D.D., Canon. 44, Upper Mount-street, Dublin.
Walsh, Rev. Robert, D.D. St. Mary's Rectory, Donnybrook.
Walsh, Thomas Arnold, Kilmallock.
Walsh, Rev. Tobias R., P.P. Freshford, Co. Kilkenny.
Walsh, Captain Walter H. Hussey-, Leicestershire Regt., Curragh Camp,
Co. Kildare.
Walsh, V. J. Hussey. 4, Curzon-street, Mayfair, London, W.
Walshe, Richard D. 20, Harrington -street, Dublin.
Ward, Alexander. 35, Upper Mount-street, Dublin.
Ward, H. Somerset. 6, Carlisle-terrace, Malahide.
Wardell, John. Old Abbey, Shanagolden.
WEBS, Alfred. Shelmalier, Orwell Park, Rathgar.
Webb, Thomas Henry. 80, Harcourt-street, Dublin.
Webber, William Downes, J. P. Mitchelstown Castle, Co. Cork.
Webster, Henry, M. Inst. C.E., Co. Surveyor. Ounavara, Gorey.
Webster, William, Solicitor. 35a, Church-street, St. Helens.
Wedgwood, Rev. George R. 4, Crosthwaite Park, Kingstown.
Weir, Henry Crichton, LL.B. (Dubl.), Solicitor. Downpatrick.
Welch, Robert. 49, Lonsdale-street, Belfast.
Weldon, Sir Anthony Crosdill, Bart., J. P., D.L. Kilmoroney, Athy.
Weldrick, George. University Press, Trinity College, Dublin.
Welply, W. H., Inspector of National Schools. 1, Devon-place, Galway.
Westmeath, Right Hon. the Earl of, J.P., D.L. Pallas, Tynagh,
Loughrea.
Westropp, Miss. Deer Park, Clonlara, Limerick.
Westropp, Lieut. -Colonel William Keily, M.R.I.A., J.P. 6, Shornclifte-
road, Folkestone.
Wheeler, Francis C. P. 64, Hatton Garden, London, E.C.
Whelan, Rev. Percy Scott, M.A., Warden, St. Columba's College, Rath-
farnham.
White, Very Rev. George Purcell, M.A., B.D., Dean of Cashel. Cashel.
White, Rev. Hill Wilson, D.D., LL.D., M.R.I.A. Wilson's Hospital,
Multifarnham, Co. Westmeath.
White, James, L.R.C.P.S.E., J.P. Kilkenny.
White, Lieut. -Colonel J. Grove, J.P. Kilbyrne, Doneraile, Co. Cork.
White, John. Derrybawn, Bushey Park-road, Rathgar.
White, John, M.A. (Oxon.), Q.C. 3, Paper Buildings, Temple, London.
White, John Newsom, M.R.I.A., J.P. Rocklands, Waterford.
White, Miss Mary Butler. Sallypark, Templeogue.
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
37
Elected
1899
"White, Rev. Newport John Davis, D.D. Marsh's Library, St. Patrick's,
Dublin.
White, Very Rev. P., P.P., V.G. , Dean of Killaloe. Nenagh.
WHITE, Rev. Patrick W., B.A. Stonebridge Manse, Clones.
WHITE, Richard Blair. Ashton Park, Monkstown.
White, Robert. Scotch Rath, Dalkey, Co. Dublin.
White, W. Grove, LL.B., Crown Solicitor for Co. Kildare. 18, Elgin-road,
Dublin.
Whyte, Chas. Cecil Beresford, J.P., D.L. Hatley Manor, Carrick-on-
Shannon.
f Wigham, Mrs. J. R. Albany House, Monkstown.
Wilkinson, Arthur B. Berkeley, B.E. Drombroe, Bantry, Co. Cork.
Willcocks, Rev. Wm. Smyth, M.A., Canon. Dunleckney Glebe, Bagenals-
town.
Williams, Alexander, R.H.A. 4, Hatch -street, Dublin.
Williams, Edward Wilmot, J. P., D.L. Herringston, Dorchester.
Williams, Rev. Sterling de Courcy, M. A. Durrow Rectory, Tullamore.
Williams, W. D., C.E. 4, Bellevue -terrace, Waterford.
Williams, Mrs. W. Parkside, Wimbledon.
Williamson, Re.v. Charles Arthur, M.A. 14, Upper Mount-street, Dublin.
Willis, Rev. J. R., B.A. Moyne Rectory, Rathdrum.
Willoughby, John, High- street, Kilkenny.
Wills, Rev. Percival B., B.D. Durrow, Queen's County.
Wilmot, Henry, C.E. 22, Waltham-terrace, Blackrock.
Wilson, James Mackay, M.A., J. P. Currygrane, Edgeworthstown.
Wilson, John Killen, J. P. 6, Donegall-street, Belfast.
Wilson, R. H. 23, Cromwell Crescent, London, S.W.
Wilson, Walter H., C.E. Cranmore, Malone-road, Belfast.
Windisch, Professor Dr. Ernst, Hon. M.R.I. A. Universitats Strasse, 15,
Leipzig.
Woodside, William J. 104, Corporation-street, Belfast.
Woodward, Rev. Alfred Sadleir, M.A. St. Mark's Vicarage, Ballysillan,
Belfast.
Woodward, Rev. George Otway, B.A. St. John's Vicarage, Hills-
borough.
Woodward, Mrs. St. Mai-k's Vicarage, Ballysillan, Belfast.
Workman, Rev. Robert, B.D. Newtownbreda Manse, Belfast.
Wray, Thomas. Hanover-place, Coleraine.
Wright, Rev. Wm. Ball, M.A. East Acklam, Malton, Yorkshire.
Wybrants, W. Geale, M.A., J. P. 55, Pembroke -road, Dublin.
Wynne, Owen, J.P., D.L. Hazelwood, Sligo.
Wyse, Captain L. W. Bonaparte, J.P. Manor of St. John, Waterford.
Yeldham, Charles Cecil, D.L, R.I.C. Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare.
Younge, Miss Katherine E. Upper Oldtown, Rathdowney.
Total number of Fellows, ... 203
Members, . . . 1138
Total, December, 1899, 1341
(Life and Hon. Fellows, 54.)
(Life Members, 24.)
N.B. — The Fellows and Members of the Society are earnestly requested to
communicate to the Secretary, 6, St. Stephen's-green, Dublin, changes of address,
or other corrections in the foregoing lists which may be needed.
( 39 )
SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS WHICH RECEIVE THE "JOURNAL"
OF THE
FOR 1899.
American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass., U. S. A.
American Philosophical Society, 104, S. 5th Street, Philadelphia, Penn., IT. S. A.
Antiquary (Editor of), 62, Paternoster-row, London.
Architect, The (Editor of), 175, Strand, London, W.C.
Belfast Naturalists' Field Club : The Museum, Belfast.
Bristol and Gloucester Archaeological Society : Eev. William Bazeley, M.A., Hon.
General Secretary, The Museum, Gloucester.
British Archaeological Association : Hon. Secretary, 32, Sackville-street, London, W.
Byegones (Editor of) : Oswestry, England.
Cambridge Antiquarian Society : T. D. Atkinson, Hon. Sec, St. Mary's Passage,
Cambridge.
Cambrian Archaeological Association : Charles J. Clark, 4, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
London, W.C.
Chester and North Wales Archaeological and Historic Society: John Hewitt, Hon.
Librarian, Grosvenor Museum, Chester.
Cork Historical and Archaeological Society : care of Messrs. Guy & Co., 70, Patrick -
street, Cork,
Director, Geological Survey Department of Canada: Alfred R. C. Selwyn, Esq.,
LL.D., F.R.S., Sussex-street, Ottawa.
Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club : Rev. 0. P. Cambridge,
Bloxworth Rectory, Wareham.
Folk Lore (Editor of), 270, Strand, London, W.C.
Glasgow Archaeological Society : W. G. Black, Secretary, 88, West Regent-street,
Glasgow.
Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire: The Secretary, Royal Institution,
Liverpool.
Her Majesty's Private Library : The Librarian, Windsor Castle, London.
Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland : Hon. Secretary, 35, Dawson-street,
Dublin.
Kent Archaeological Society: George Payne, Esq., F.S.A., Rochester, Hon.
Secretary, Kent.
Kildare Archaeological Society : care of Sir Arthur Vicars, F.S.A., Ulster King of
Arms, Dublin Castle.
40
SOCIETIES AND INSTITUTIONS.
National Library of Ireland, Kildare-street, Dublin.
Numismatic Society : The Secretaries, 22, Albemarle-street, London, W.
Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia : S. E. Cor. Twenty-first-
street and Pine-street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U. S. A.
Palestine Exploration Fund (Secretary of), 24, Hanover-square, London, W.
Reliquary and Illustrated Archaeologist (Editor of): J. P. Allen, Esq., F.S.A.,
28, Great Ormond- street, London, W.C.
Royal Institute of British Architects : The Librarian, 9, Conduit-street, Hanover-
square, London, W.
Royal Institute of The Architects of Ireland : Albert E. Murray, Hon. Secretary,
20, Lincoln-place, Dublin.
Royal Institution of Cornwall: The Hon. Secretary, Museum, Truro, Cornwall.
Royal Irish Academy : 19, Dawson-street, Dublin.
Royal Archaeological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland: A. H. Lyell, Esq ,
F.S.A., Secretary, 20, Hanover -square, London, W.
Royal Societies' Club, St. James' -street, London, W. C.
Societe d'Archeologie de Bruxelles : 63, Rue de Palais, Bruxelles.
Societe des Bollandistes, 14, Rue des Drsulines, Bruxelles.
Societe Royale des Antiquaires du Nord : Messrs. Williams and Norgate, 14,
Henrietta-street, Covent Garden, London.
Society of Antiquaries of London : W. H. St. John Hope, M.A., Assistant Secretary,
Burlington House, London, W.
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland : Joseph Anderson, Esq., LL.D., National
Museum of Antiquities, Queen-street, Edinburgh.
Society of Biblical Archaeology : W. Harry Rylands, F.S.A., Secretary, 11, Hart-
street, Bloomsbury, London, W.C.
Smithsonian Institution: Washington, D. C, U.S.A., c/o Wm. Wesley, 28, Essex-
street, Strand, London.
Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History Society : William Bidgood, Taunton
Castle, Taunton.
Suffolk Institute of Archaeology. The Librarian, Athenaeum, Bury St. Edmunds.
Surrey Archaeological Society : Hon. Secretaries, Castle Arch, Guildford.
Sussex Archaeological Society : Care of Hon. Librarian, The Castle, Lewes, Sussex.
The Copyright Office, British Museum, London.
Tbe Library, Trinity College, Dublin (5 & 6 Vict. c. 45).
Tbe University Library, Cambridge (5 & 6 Vict. c. 45).
The Bodleian Library, Oxford (5 & 6 Vict. c. 45).
Waterford and South-East of Ireland Archaeological Society: Honorary Secretary,
Waterford.
Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society : The Secretary, Devizes.
Yorkshire Archaeological Society: E. K. Clark, Esq., Hon. Librarian, 10, Paik-
street, Leeds.
( 41 )
GENERAL RULES
OF THE
§topl ^Metjr of $ntiqxxmm jof |wIhh&.
(.4s Revised at the Annual Meeting, 1898.)
♦>
OBJECTS.
1. The Society is instituted to preserve, examine, and illustrate all Ancient Monu-
ments and Memorials of the Arts, Manners, and Customs of the past, as connected
with the Antiquities, Language, and Literature of Ireland.
CONSTITUTION.
2. The Society shall consist of Fellows, Members, Associates, and Honorary
Fellows.
3. Fellows shall be elected at a General Meeting of the Society, each name having
been previously submitted to and approved of by the Council, with the name of a
Fellow or Member as proposer. Each Fellow shall pay an Entrance Fee of £2, and an
Annual Subscription of £1, or a Life Composition of £14, which includes the Entrance
Fee of £2.
4. Members shall be similarly elected, on being proposed by a Fellow or Member,
and shall pay an Entrance Fee of 10s. and an Annual Subscription of 10s., or a Life
Composition of £7, which shall include the Entrance Fee of 10s.
5. Associates may be elected by the Council, on being proposed by a Fellow or
Member, for any single Meeting or Excursion of the Society at a Subscription to be
fixed by the Council ; but they shall not be entitled to any privileges of the Society
except admission to such Meeting or Excursion.
6. All Fees due on joining the Society must be paid either before or within two
months from the date of Election. Fellows and Members failing to pay shall be
reported at the next General Meeting after the expiration of this period.
7. Any Fellow who has paid his full Annual Subscription of £1 for ten consecutive
years may become a Life Fellow on payment of a sum of £8.
8. Any Member who has paid his full Annual Subscription of 10s. for ten conse-
cutive years may become a Life Member on payment of £5.
9. Any Member who has paid his Life Composition, on being advanced to the rank
of Fellow, may compound by paying a sum of £7, which sum includes the Entrance
Fee for Fellowship.
D
42
GENERAL RULES, ETC.
10. A Member paying an Annual Subscridtion of 10s., on being elected to Fellow-
ship, shall pay an admission Fee of 30s., instead of the Entrance Fee of £2 provided
for in Rule 3.
11. All Subscriptions shall be payable in advance on 1st day of January in each
year, or on election. The Subscriptions of Fellows and Members elected at the last
Meeting of any year may be placed to their credit for the following year. A List of all
Fellows and Members whose Subscriptions are two years in arrear shall be read out
at the Annual General Meeting, and published in the Quarterly Journal of the Society.
12. Fellows shall be entitled to receive the Journal, and all extra publications
of the Society. Members shall be entitled to receive the Journal, and may obtain
the extra publications on payment of the price fixed by the Council.
13. Fellows and Members whose Subscriptions for the year have not been paid
are not entitled to the Journal; and any Fellow or Member whose Subscription
for the current year remains unpaid, and who receives and retains the Journal,
shall be held liable for the payment of the full published price of 5s. for each
quarterly part.
14. Fellows and Members whose Subscriptions for the current year have been paid
shall alone have the right of voting at all General Meetings of the Society. Any such
Fellow present at a General Meeting can call for a vote by orders, and, in that case,
no resolution can be passed unless by a majority of both the Fellows and of the Mem-
bers present and voting. Honorary Fellows have not the right of voting, and are
not eligible for any of the Offices mentioned in Rules 15 and 16, nor can they be
elected Members of Council. In cases where a ballot is called for, no Candidate for
Fellowship or Membership can be admitted unless by the votes of two-thirds of the
Fellows and Members present, and voting.
OFFICE-BEARERS AND COUNCIL.
15. The Officers of the Society, who must be Fellows, shall consist of a
Patron-in-Chief, Patrons, President, four Vice-Presidents for each Province, a
General Secretary, and a Treasurer. All Lieutenants of Counties to be ex-offieio
Patrons on election as Fellows.
16. The President and Vice-Presidents shall be elected at the Annual General
Meeting in each year. The nominations for these offices must be received at the Rooms
of the Society on or before the first day of December preceding the Annual General
Meeting, addressed to the General Secretary, and endorsed "Nomination of Officers."
Each Nomination Paper must be signed by seven or more Fellows or Members as pro-
posers ; and in the case of a Candidate who has not held such office before, his
Nomination Paper must be accompanied by an intimation under his hand that he will
serve in that office if elected. In case the number of persons so nominated shall
exceed the number of vacancies, a printed Balloting Paper, containing the names of
all such Candidates arranged in alphabetical order, distinguishing those recommended
by the Council, shall be sent by post to every Fellow and Member whose name is on
the Roll of the Society, directed to the address entered on the Roll, at least one week
before the day of election. Each person voting shall mark with an asterisk the name
of each Candidate for whom he, or she, votes. The Voter shall then return the
Balloting Paper to the General Secretary, on or before the day preceding the Election,
in an addressed envelope, which is to be supplied, sealed, and marked Balloting Paper,
and signed outside with the name of the Voter : the Balloting Paper itself must not be
signed. In case a Voter signs the Balloting Paper, or votes for more Candidates than
GENERAL RULES, ETC.
43
the number specified thereon, such vote shall be void. The Balloting Papers shall be
scrutinized on the day of election by at least two Scrutineers appointed by the Council,
who shall report the result at the General Meeting held on the evening of that day.
The Treasurer shall furnish the Scrutineers with a List of the Fellows and Members
whose Subscriptions have been paid up to the day preceding the Election, and who are
consequently qualified to vote at such Election. Those Candidates who obtain the
greatest number of votes shall be declared elected, subject to the provisions of Rule 17,
provided that, when there appears an equality of votes for two or more Candidates, the
Candidate whose name is longest on the books of the Society, shall be declared elected.
The President shall be elected for a term of three years, and the same person shall
not be elected for two consecutive periods. The four senior or longest elected Vice-
Presidents in each province shall retire each year by rotation, and shall not be eligible
for re-election at the General Meeting at which they retire. The Council may
submit to the Annual General Meeting the name of a Fellow, Hon. Fellow, or
Member, who will act as Hon. President, and the Meeting may adopt the name
submitted, or may elect another by a majority of votes, such Hon. President to hold
office for one year, and shall not be elected for two consecutive periods.
17. The management of the business of the Society shall be entrusted to a Council
of Twelve, eight of whom at least must be Fellows (exclusive of the President, Vice-
Presidents, Honorary General Secretary, and Treasurer, who shall be ex-officio Mem-
bers of the Council). The Council shall meet on the last Wednesday of each month,
or on such other days as they may deem necessary. Four Members of Council shall
form a quorum. The three senior or longest elected Members of the Council shall
retire each year by rotation, and shall not be eligible for re-election at the Annual
General Meeting at which they retire. In case of a vacancy occurring for a Member
of Council during the year, the Council shall at its next Meeting co-opt a Fellow or
Member, to retire by rotation. A Member of Council who has failed to attend one-
third of the ordinary Meetings of the Council during the year shall forfeit his seat
at the next Annual General Meeting. The vacancies caused by the retirement by
rotation of Members of Council shall be filled up in the manner prescribed for the
election of President and Vice-Presidents in Rule 16.
18. The Council may appoint Honorary Provincial Secretaries for each Province,
and Honorary Local Secretaries throughout the country, whose duties shall be de-
fined by the Council, and they shall report to the Honorary General Secretary, at least
once a year, on all Antiquarian Remains discovered in their districts, to investigate
Local History and Tradition, and to give notice of all injury inflicted, or likely
to be inflicted, on Monuments of Antiquity or Ancient Memorials of the Dead, in
<jrder that the influence of the Society may be exerted to restore or preserve them.
19. The Council may appoint Committees to take charge of particular departments
of business, and shall report to the Annual General Meeting the state of the Society's
Funds, and other matters which may have come before them during the preceding year.
They may appoint an Hon. Curator of the Museum, and draw up such rules for its
management as they may think fit. The Hon. General Secretary may, with the
approval of the Council, appoint a paid Assistant Secretary ; the salary to be deter-
mined by the Council.
20. The Treasurer's Accounts shall be audited by two Auditors, to be elected at
the Annual General Meeting in each year, who shall present their Report at a
subsequent General Meeting of the Society.
21. All property of the Society shall be vested in the Council, and shall be disposed
of as they shall direct. The Museum of Antiquities cannot be disposed of without the
•unction of the Society being first obtained.
44
GENERAL RULES, ETC.
22. For the purpose of carrying out the arrangements in regard to the Meetings and
Excursions to he held in the respective Provinces, the Honorary Provincial Secretaries
may be summoned to attend the Meetings of Council ex-officio. Honorary Local Secre-
taries of the County or Counties in which, such Meetings are held shall be similarly
summoned.
MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY.
23. The Society shall meet four times at least in each, year on such days as the
Council shall ascertain to be the most convenient, when Fellows and Members shall
be elected, Papers on Historical and Archaeological Subjects shall be read and discussed,
and Objects of Antiquarian Interest exhibited. Excursions may be arranged wheie
practicable. ',
24. The Annual General Meeting shall be held in Dublin in the month of January ;
one Meeting in the year shall be held in Kilkenny ; the other Meetings to be held
in such places as the Council may recommend.. A List of such Meetings shall be
forwarded to each Fellow and Member. Evening Meetings for reading and dis-
cussing Papers, and making exhibits, may be held at such times as shall be arranged
by the Council.
PUBLICATIONS.
25. No Paper shall be read to the Society without the permission of the Council
having previously been obtained. The Council shall determine the order in which
Papers shall be read, and the time to be allowed for each. All Papers listed or Com-
munications received shall be the property of the Society. The Council shall deter-
mine whether, and to what extent any Paper or Communication shall be published.
26. All matter concerning existing religious and political differences shall be ex-
cluded from the Papers to be read and the discussions held at the Meetings of the
Society.
27. The Proceedings and Papers read at the several Meetings, and where approved
of by the Council, shall be printed in the form of a Journal, and supplied to all Fellows
and Members not in arrear. If the funds of the Society permit, extra publications
may be printed and supplied to all Fellows free, and to such Members as may sub-
scribe specially for them.
GENERAL.
28. These Pules shall not be altered or amended except at an Annual General
Meeting of the Society, and after notice given at the previous General Meeting. All
By-laws and Regulations dealing with the General Rules formerly made are hereby
repealed.
29. The enactment of any new Rule, or the alteration or repeal of any existing
one, must be in the first instance submitted to the Council ; the proposal to be signed by
seven Fellows or Members, and forwarded to the Hon. Secretary. Such proposal being
made, the Council shall lay same before a General Meeting, with its opinion thereon ;
and such proposal shall not be ratified unless passed by a majority of the Fellows and
Members present at such General Meeting subject to the provisions of Rule 14.
ROBERT COCHRANE, F.S.A.,
Hon. Secretary.
6, St. Stephen's -green, Dublin.
31st December, 1899.
THE JOURNAL
OF
THE EOYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES
OF IRELAND,
FOR THE YEAR 1899.
PAPERS AND PROCEEDINGS— PART I. FIRST QUARTER, 1899.
papers*
A FURTHER NOTE ON THE SURROUNDINGS OF SAINT
PATRICK'S DE INSULA, DUBLIN. THE RESTORATION
OF THE NORTH CLOSE, 1899. THE POSSIBILITY OF
RECOVERY OF THE ANCIENT WELL OF ST. PATRICK.
By THOMAS DREW, R.H.A., Vice-President.
[Read February 28, 1899.]
whole of the lands known as the Liberty of St. Sepulchre, near
Dublin, were, in 1190, possessed by the Archbishop of Dublin, and
on them was the church of St. Patrick de Insula.
John Comyn, Archbishop of Dublin, 1190-1, defined the limits of the
precinct, verge or cemeterium of the church, and applotted "eight areas
surrounding the cemeterium for building canons' houses" {vide charters).
The boundaries of the respective plots have been strictly maintained
for seven centuries. They are still definable on the south, east, and
west sides of the Cathedral in existing leaseholds, and were so on the
north side until 1890.
The Liberty of St. Patrick's, as created by Comyn, was walled and
fortified, and dignitaries' houses were built. They were, however, not
maintained, As related by Stanihurst (about 1570) the unfortunate
dignitaries, "being so daily and hourly preid and molested by their prowl-
ing mountain neighbours, were forced to suffer their buildings to fail
into decay, and embayed themselves within the city walls."
The Act 17 & 18 Charles II., cap. 14, for abating the nuisance and
JOUR. R. F.A.I. , VOL. IX., PT. I., OTH SER. B
2
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
unsanitary condition, and " beautifying " the pieces of ground surround-
ing the Cathedral, describe them in the preamble as " in a manner lying
waste." Portions appear to have been sublet by some of the dignitaries
at low rents, and to have shared in the sordid, unregulated, and offensive
condition of general neglect of the Cathedral precincts.
►St. Patrick's Catiiedhal.
(Malton's View, 1793.)
In 1661 the Dean and Chapter, for sanitary considerations, ordained
that the portion of the cemetery on the north side, appurtenant to the
Cathedral under Comyn's foundation, should be paved. It still remained
the property of the Cathedral Corporation within their exempt jurisdic-
tion of the Liberty of St. Patrick's, and would appear not to have become
dedicated as a public thoroughfare until the removal of the remains of
St. Patrick's Gate, at the west end, with certain houses that stood thereat
on the " Oeconomy " plot, by the Wide Street Commissioners in 1824.
The exempt jurisdiction and property of the Dean and Chapter in the
street traversing the ancient cemetery, and known to us as St. Patrick's
Close, did not lapse until comparatively few years ago, and has for that
interval vested in the Corporation of Dublin.
It is now sought, under a Bill promoted last session in Parliament by
Lords Ardilaun and Iveagh, and James Talbot Power, Esq., to establish
an open park or city garden on the north side of the Cathedral. It is
st. Patrick's de insula, dublin.
3
proposed by it, inter alia, to restore to the Cathedral its verge assigned
by its founder, Archbishop Comyn, in 1190, held by it for successive
centuries and essential as a foreground to the dignity of this ancient and
stately church, which has been rescued, maintained and restored to the
citizens of Dublin in the past thirty years by private munificence.
West Front op St. Patrick's Cathedral.
(Malton's View, 1793.)
The veritable ancient well of St. Patrick, where baptisms were
traditionally said to have been performed by the Saint himself, was, on
the authority of Archbishop Ussher who saw it in his time, enclosed in
houses standing on the north Close.
" In patricianaD ecclesiae claustro, non procul a Campanili, ilium
patricij. fontem vidimus (intra privatas aedes inclusum nuper-
rime et obstructum) ad quern Dublinienses neophytos ab eo
fuisse baptizatos, juxta civitatem ad Austrum, ex Jocilino jam
audivimus." Britt. Eccl. Antiq. folio 449. — Mason's History.
Antiquaries of reverent instinct, and ecclesiologists are hereby warned
of a coming chance of recovery of this famous and sacrosanct well, on the
restoration of the ground sometime desecrated as a public street, " non
procul a campanili," and within the area of the houses marked on my
map as in possession of Henry Hunt, or llotton, in 1750, removed by
the Wide Streets Commission in 1824.
B 2
4
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Bearing in mind that the inevitable accumulation process in city
bounds has in seven centuries raised the surface of the ground 6 feet,
and perhaps more, above the ancient ground level, a hope may he enter-
tained by the pious that the well of St. Patrick is not lost for ever. It
was seen by Ussher in Queen Elizabeth's day, and Malton, writing in
1790, took upon himself to say that it was still to be found under the
hall of the house nearest depicted in his view of the west end of St.
Patrick's — that it may be but covered up, and may be brought again to
light, is not impossible.
" The well is mentioned by Andowe, who was Proctor of the
Oeconomy in 1509. He describes the House of the Preb. of Howth
as situated ' Juxta fontem Sancti Patricii.' A MS. of Dr. John Lyon
mentions it as in the outer court of the Archdeacon of Glendaloch'&
cloister" (Mason).
Ussher's reference would have been about 1590. It was then u very
lately enclosed in private houses and obstructed." Dr. John Lyon
(compiler of the " Novum Eegistrum of Christchurch ") and Malton
would bring the latest memory of St. Patrick's well to the beginning of
the century. The forecourt, or enclosure, of the Archdeacon of Glenda-
loch's ground, could be still defined from accurate maps ; not so the
House of the Prebendary of Howth, which is not existent in the
Cathedral Survey of 1750. It may be added that the so-called well
of St. Patrick, shown in the south transept, is no well, and but a small
collection of surface water in a hollow, not seven inches deep ; nor ha&
it any pretensions to antiquity or sanctity. It must of necessity be
drainage from adjoining vaults, in which are recorded many interments
of the Loftus families and others.
( 5 )
CAHERCONREE,1 COTJJSTTY KERRY.
By P. J. LTNCH, Fellow, Hon. Provincial Secretary, Munster.
[Submitted November 29, 1898.]
•heee are few places in Kerry of greater historical interest than Caher-
conree, the fort of Curoi Mac Daire, King of West Munster, who
reigned at the time of the Incarnation. It gives the name to the highest
western peak of the Slieve Mis range of mountains, 2713 feet high.
The fort is situated on a spur of the mountain at an elevation of
2050 feet as registered hy two aneroids. It is shown on the joining of
Ordnance sheets 37 and 46, co. Kerry. Eor a long time I have desired to
visit this fort, but the variety of conditions necessary, that is the time, op-
portunity, and, most essential of all, suitable weather, formed a combination
most difficult to secure. However, last July, after one disappointment —
heavy driving mists having set in on my arrival at the foot of the moun-
tain— a second attempt was made under most favourable circumstances.
I was accompanied by two members of our Society, Dr. "William Eogerty,
and his brothers Mr. Robert Fogerty, c.e., and Surgeon Geo. Fogerty, k.n. :
the latter kindly volunteered his services as photographer, and all rendered
valuable assistance in preparing the record of our visit. I cannot omit
also to acknowledge the kindness of Lord Yentry's steward, Mr. Hender-
son, who accompanied us, and from his knowledge of the mountain helped
us considerably.
There are two ways of approach from the northern side of the range,
either by the Glen of Derrymore, which is wild and picturesque, or from
the village of Camp by the valley of the Finglas river called Glen Fas.
This is the easier way to ascend, as from the end of the glen there is a
gradual rise following the course of the Finglas stream for about half-way
up the mountain ; the remainder of the distance is steeper and more
difficult to climb.
History2 records that, at the base of Caherconree, was the meeting
of the Milesians, after landing in the Kenmare river, with the Tuatha-
De-Danann, and here, after their return from Tara, was fought their
first battle in which the Milesian Queen Scota was killed. A large flat
rock at the eastern end of the Slieve Mis range, near Tralee, is known as
1 1 have adopted the spelling of the Ordnance map for convenience of reference,
though it is in many cases not the most correct. Smith writes Caherconrigh, O'Curry
has it Cathair Chonroi or Conrai, O'Donovan Cathair Conrui — Con is the genitive of
Cu, hound, or hero. In the nominative it is Cu lloi, genitive Con Roi.
2 Keating' s " History of Ireland."
6 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Scota's grave. Here, too, fell the Milesian princess Pas. Local tra-
dition asserts that she is buried where the ruined oratory of Kilelton1
now stands, a little eastward of Glen Fas.
The fort figures prominently in the ancient history of Ireland. In
the Irish triads it is ranked as one of the three old buildings of Ireland,
with Dunseverick in Antrim, and Dun Cearmna on the old Head of Kin-
sale. In O'Donovnn's translation of the twelfth century MSS., " The
Battle of Magh Rath " (Moira) — said to have been fought a.d. 637 —
after recounting several of the battles of the TJltonians, the bard con-
tinues : —
" Seven battles around Cathair Conrui,
The plundering of Fiamuin, son of Forui,
The plundering of Curoi — lasting the renown,
With the seventeen sons of Deaghaidh."
In the Lealhar na h-Uidhre, a MS. which O'Curry ascribes to about the
eleventh century, mention is made of Cathair Conroi in connexion with
the dispute as to who was entitled to the champion's share at the feasts
of the Red Branch knights at Emain Macha, which was to be decided at
the fort of Curoi Mac Daire. The deeds of daring performed by the three
knights, Laeghaire Buadhach, Conall Cearnach, and notably Cuchulainn,
the great Ultonian hero, outside the rampart of Caherconree on that
occasion, as told by this ancient chronicler, are fully translated by O'Curry ,*
and form one of the wildest and most fanciful of our Celtic sagas.
After this comes the old story Orgain Cathrach Chonrai (or the
slaughter of Cathair Conroi), which was one of the great stories which the
Ollamh was bound to relate before the king. In it we are told how
Blanaid, the wife of Curoi — a princess from the Isle of Man — who had
been carried away as a prize in a successful assault on her father's strong-
hold, led by Mac Daire, arranged the plot by which her lover, the knight
Cuchulainn, was to effect an entrance to the fort, the signal being that
she was to pour milk into the stream, which rises about 200 yards below,
until it ran white. At the given signal Cuchulainn and his men entered
the fort, and murdered Curoi Mac Daire, who is said to be buried on
Caherconree.3 The faithless Blanaid fled to Ulster with her Ultonnm
lover, and the stream is known as the Finnghlas, or white stream, ever
since. These romantic tales connected with the legendary history of Ire-
land, as they are related by Keating, or translated from ancient MSS. by
O'Curry, lend an additional interest to Caherconree ; but as the purpose
of this paper is more with the fortress itself than the legends connected
with it, I must refer those who are not fully acquainted with them to the
1 See " Kilelton in Glenfas," by Miss M. Hickson, Journal, R.U.A.I., 5th Ser., vol.
viii. (1898), p. 309. Mr. Eorlase, in his valuable work, " The Dolmens of Ireland,"
note, pp. 840-841, states there is no ruined church near Glen Fas, though Win dele;
refers to a visit to this oratory on his way to Caherconree.
2 OTJurry's " Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish," vol. iii., p. 75. ,
3 O'Donovan's " Battle of Magh Rath," p. 212.
CAHERCONREE, COUNTY KERRY.
7
pages of these writers.1 I know there are some modern scholars of
eminence who seek to rob us of the reality of those heroes, whose deeds
have been glorified by our ancient bards, and to locate them amid the
gods of a new mythology. The turgidity of the style of our ancient
poets in recounting the deeds of their heroes at the dawn of history
tends to elevate them above the sphere of ordinary mortals, and in time
confounds them with the supernatural, and, no doubt, induces scepticism ;
still, for the present I prefer to believe with Mr. Standish O'Grady2 that
" Cuculain and his friends are historical characters, seen as it were
through mists of love and wonder, whom men could not forget, but
for centuries continued to celebrate in countless songs and stories; they
are not literary phantoms, but actual existences; imaginary or fictitious
characters, mere creatures of idle fancy, do not live and flourish so in the
world's memory."
Much confusion has existed amongst antiquaries, not only as to the
position of this fort but as to whether it had any existence. Smith, in
his "History of Kerry," at page 156, states: — "The other mountains that
run westerly into the barony of Corkaguiny, go by various Irish names.
A remarkable one of these is Cahirconrigh, or Cauir Conrigh, i. e. the
fortress of Conrigh or Sing Con. On the top of this mountain a circle of
stones (massy) laid one on the other in the manner of a Danish entrench-
ment— several of them are from 8 to 10 cubical feet, but they are all very
rude ; from the situation of the place it resembles a beacon or place of
guard to alarm the country, but from the prodigious size of the stones
it rather seems a monument of some great action performed near this
place, or, perhaps, a sepulchral trophy raised over some eminent person.
This piece of antiquity stands on the summit of a conical mountain,
which is more than 700 yards above the level of the sea, and forms a kind
of peninsula between two very fine bays." O'Flanagan3 described it as
a heap of loose stones that appear to have been collected on the moun-
tain. Dr. Woods4 refers to it as a wall, forming with the verges of the
hill an irregular triangle within which the inaccessible parts of the
mountain are enclosed. He also describes two gates about 11 feet wide,
some sunken pits, and the entire as situated on the summit of the moun-
tain, all of which are so inaccurate that it was probably only written from
hearsay. O'Donovan, in a note to the ".Battle of Magh Rath," published
in 1842, writes of Cathair Conrui : — " i.e. the Caber or stone fort of Curoi
Mac Daire: it is still the name of a mountain situated about 6 miles S.AY.
of the town of Tralee in Kerry, near which Curoi Mac Daire, King of
the Deagads of Munster, resided in the first century. In the ' Book of
1 Keating's " History of Ireland " ; O'Curry's "Manners and Customs " ; "Cathair
Conroi."
2 " Coming of Cuculain," Standish O'Grady. (London, 1894.)
3 " Transactions of Gaelic Society," p. 50.
4 "An Inquiry Concerning the Primitive Inhabitants of Ireland." Dr. Thomas
"Woods.
8
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Leinster,' folio 16 a, b, it is stated that theLecht, or monument of Curoi,
is on Slieve Mis mountain, of which Caherconree is the highest part. The
cairn or sepulchral pile of Curoi is still to be seen on the north-east
shoulder of the mountain, but his caher or fort has been long since de-
stroyed, though Dr. Smith, in his ' History of Kerry,' states that the
ruins of it were to be seen on the summit of the mountain in his own
time ; but this is utterly erroneous, for the feature called Caherconree
on this mountain is a natural ledge of rocks." 0' Curry believed that
some portion of the fort remained, for after relating the legend of
Blanaid and the white stream, he writes: " and therefore any one taking
this white stream, still so well known in the locality, for his guide, and
following it up the mountain, may, perhaps, discover the ancient Cathair
Conroi, some vestiges of which must still exist." ButO'Curry, with that
accuracy and minuteness of research for which he is remarkable, goes
still further in his efforts to locate it, by quoting from the old tale Cath
Finntragha, or "Battle of Ventry Harbour," where the Journey of Finn
Mac Cumhaill into Kerry is described, " and then over the long white
strand of the Bay of Tralee, with his left hand to Cathair na Claen Hatha,
which was called Cathair Chonrai, and to Slieve Mis, and thence on to
Ventry."1 O'Curry continues : " Another curious bit of additional infor-
mation, if it be correct, is supplied by this tale, namely, that Cathair
Conroi was called also Cathair na Claen Hatha, that is, the Cathair of the
sloping rath, and, probably, Claen Hath, or sloping rath only ; and this
may lead further to the identification of the old Cathair, since, perhaps,
it may still be known under the name of Cathair na Claen Batha, or of
Claen Rath only." I am not aware that the fort has been known in recent
times as Claen Bath, but, curiously enough, a reference to the elevation
of the rampart, which I have prepared to accompany this paper, will
show how correctly the description of sloping rath applies to Caher-
conree. The ground slopes to an angle of 10° as measured by a clino-
meter. In later years the fort was visited by Mr. Windele, of Cork, and
though he did not attempt a measured survey, still his paper, published
in the Ulster Journal of Arehceology, vol. viii., 1860, may be said to be
the first authentic description of the Cahir, and gives a very fair general
idea of it. To come to later times, either Windele's paper had not come
under the notice of our eminent antiquary Professor Bhys, or, if so, ho
remained sceptical ; for in his inaugural address2 as President of the
Cambrian Archaeological Association, read at our joint meeting in Killar-
ney in 1891, and published in our Journal, he states :• — " It seems to me
somewhat incredible that there should ever have been a fortress on so
high a mountain " ; and after quoting O'Donovan's note, see ante, he adds
as a footnote : " it would be greatly to the credit of the E. S. A. I. if it
1 " Manners and Customs," p. 82, vol. iii.
2 " Early Irish Conquests of Wales and Dumnonia," by John Rhys, m.a. (Journal
M.S.A.I., 5th Ser., vol. i., p. 642).
CAHERCONREEj COUNTY KERRY.
9
were to publish a detailed survey of tlie top of the mountain in their
Journal, that is if it has not been done already." I hope the present
effort may succeed in convincing Professor Rhys that the remains of a
cahir of light royal proportions exist on the mountain, and that its
position and surroundings go far towards substantiating the legendary
history connecting it with Curoi Mac Daire. The entire subject-matter
of the Professor's address is most interesting in connexion with Caher-
conree, for though he has been described as one " of those antiquaries
who desire to relegate all things traditional in Irish history to Aryan
mythology,"1 in that address, to use his own phrase, he has turned over a
new leaf, and his arguments to identify Cuchulainn with the Sentantii of
Britain, mentioned by Ptolemy, and Curoi Mac Daire with Carausius,
are, as might be expected, learned and exhaustive ; but for the sake
of the memory of our Munster monarch, I would prefer to think, with
Mr. Borlase, that Carausius may have been identical with the pirate
rover, Lughaidh Maccon, of evil notoriety ;2 however, that is a branch of
the subject outside the scope of this paper, and may safely be left to
these two eminent antiquaries to investigate.
More fortunate than Windele's party, who visited Caherconree in a
thick mist, we were favoured with lovely summer weather, and a perfectly
clear atmosphere. What strikes you most as you approacli the fortress
is its commanding situation, which lends a grandeur to it which is all
nature's own. It is a rocky projecting eminence formed, as it were, as
the site for a stronghold ; and which man completed, by the erection of
this massive wall across the plateau on the top. This manner of forming
a fort, by taking advantage of the natural cliff formation of a projecting
promontory, is also to be met with in some of what are called Cliff
castles in Cornwall ; Mayai (or Mayou) is a good example.3 Also at
St. David's head in Wales,4 and some in Scotland, of which Dun Chruban5
is a typical example. In Ireland, Dubh Cathair on Aran, and Dunbeg
in Kerry, are like constructions.
The view from inside the fort is magnificent. A large area of Iar
Mumhan,6 or West Munster, surrounds you. To the north Tralee Bay lay,
as it were, at your feet ; beyond it, the estuary of the Shannon opened
under the headlands of the Clare coast, with the Aran isles, and the
Twelve " Pins " of Connemara in the distance. To the east, the view
extends to the Duhallow country, and beyond it. Towards the south
Killarney's lakes glistening between wood and mountain, with the Laune
like a thread of silver, connecting them with the waters of Dingle bay,
v, hile that wide arm of the sea stretched grandly along between the moun-
tain ranges of Iveragh and Corcaguiny, which were streaked, and silver
borlase, "Dolmens of Ireland," p. 1028. 2 Ibid., p. 1038.
3 " Archaeologia Cambrensis," Ser. 3, vol. xi. 4 Ibid., Ser. 5, vol. xv.
5 "Stone Fortifications in Scotland" (Christison), p. 140.
6 Win dele describes Iar Mumhan as the country lying west of a line drawn from
Limerick to Cork.
10 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
speckled over, with the numerous bays and estuaries of the coast lino,
looking like inland lakes — the vision bounded by the far off peaks of
the Caha mountains — all formed a panorama as imposing as could be
found on any coast line in Europe. From this it may be inferred that a
surprise to the watchful warders of Caherconree was an impossibility.
The improbability of this being a Royal residence, because of its
great elevation, has been urged by some : but residences at high levels
were not unusual in early ages. Dr. Christison, in a tabulate d statement
of the levels of the Scotch forts, gives one in Aberdeen, 1851 feet high,
and four at over 1500 feet elevation; and on this subject he states: —
" But besides this indirect proof we have direct evidence that the early
inhabitants of Britain did live at such high altitudes as these. Within
Scotland itself, at Eildon, there are plain indications of habitation by a
large population, at a height of 1300 feet ; and in Wales the fortress of
Treceiri, 1500 feet above the sea, contains within its walls, the remains of
many solid stone houses. Taking even the highest of the Scottish forts,
Tap o' Noth, it is scarcely possible to look on it as a mere temporary
refuge, if we regard the massive bulk of its walls, and the great labour
it must have taken to collect and place the materials." Even now-a-days
in Great Britain, we have residences at high levels. The inns on some
of the English moors are over 1600 feet high, the King's Pit Inn at Tau-
hill, Yorkshire, is 1727 feet over sea level. I am certain that the Celtic
warriors, encamped over the well- wooded slopes of Derrymore, and Glen
Fas, in those days, enjoyed a more genial climate than the residents in
Tap o' Noth or Treceiri.
To speculate on the age of Caherconree leads up to the general ques-
tion of the age of our stone forts, which has engaged the attention of
many eminent antiquaries for a long time, and still remains a subject
for conjecture. Mr. Westropp, in a recent paper, published in our
Journal,1 on the stone forts of Northern Clare, dealt very exhaustively
with the subject, quoting extensively from a vast array of authorities on
the point. It is unnecessary, therefore, for me to overload this paper
with references, which must be quite fresh in the memory of my fcllow-
members. "With most of his conclusions I agree, only I would go further
and say that the Firbolg legend, that these stone forts were the "strong-
holds of a hunted and persecuted race" — the "ruined fortresses of a
lost tribe "2 — may be dismissed completely, as I see less reason for
supporting it in reference to the Aran forts than of any other. These
stupendous works, involving such outlay in labour and materials, are not
the structures that a decaying race, beaten to the very ocean brink, on a
barren island, would think of raising. They are more the strongholds of a
powerful and aggressive people, having great resources at their command.3
1 Journal, R.S.A.I., 5th Series, vol. vi., p. 142, to vol. vii., p. 116.
2 "Christian Architecture," by Miss Stokes, p. 15.
3 Is it not strange to think that the sons of Umor who, on returning to Ireland, we
Cahirconree: View of Wall from the outside.
Jour. R.S.A.T., vol. ix., pt. i, p. 10.
CAHERCONREE, COUNTY KERRY.
11
On this branch of the subject O'Cnrry, referring to Caherconree,
states: — "It is of some importance in the discussion on ancient stone
edifices to find still in existence one, not only of undoubted authenticity,
but even preserving through ages down even to the present day the name
of the man for whom it was built, as well as that of the man who built
it, for in the list of builders in stone who were attached to certain great
men already quoted from the Book of Leinster, Cingdorn is set down as
Curoi Mac Daire's caisleoir, or stone-builder." So it was Cingdorn who
erected the stone rampart possibly inside Claen Hatha, or the sloping
rath, to the order of Curoi Mac Daire — I presume an existing rath,
for it is natural to suppose that Caherconree remained an impor-
tant military position from the time of the first engagements in Glen Fas.
Those early Celtic invaders, whether they came from the banks of the
Danube by way of Spain or Britain, were undoubtedly a fighting race,
possessing a knowledge of the military science of their time, and would,
doubtless, see the strategic importance of this position, where they
received the first challenge from the enemy. One of the chiefs of what
is known as the Milesian expedition was Nar, and an old poem
states : —
" The erection of Cathair Nair great fortification
At Slieve Mis was performed by Fulman." 1
This may have referred to the early fortification which the more
modern scribe calls a cathair (rath and cahir2 are often confounded).
are told, made choice of the rich plains of Meath, should finally undertake the labori-
ous work of erecting these massive fortifications to secure themselves on the barren
rocks of Aran ? O'Donovan labours to prove that Dun Engus would hold 1050 cows ; but
the entire island, at the present day, after centuries of labour to bring the barren
patches between the rocks into cultivation, will not support more than one-third th;it
number of cattle — and there are three other Lirge forts on this island, that may also he
expected to have provided cattle enclosures. The question is, if these were the settled
habitations of any race of people, how were they and their cattle to find support on the
rocky surface of Aranmore ? It is much more probable they were the strongholds of a
race of sea rovers, who erected them to secure and safeguard their treasures and
spoils of conquest, and we know that such there were at about the period in history to
which these forts have been referred to. Carausius was such a one, whose fleets M ere
manned by mercenaries from the Continent, and who carried his conquests over all the
British isles. Then this LughaidhMaccon, mentioned by O'Flaherty ("Ogygia," p. 148),
was another sea rover (see ante). He was an exile of the race of 1th who, in a.d. 195,
we hear of as landing in Galway Bay, and in the battle oi .A thigh Mucruimhe, he slew
Art son of Con. His forces consisted of bands of Prankish and Saxon mercenaries.
This incident is referred to very fully by Mr. Borlase in the ethnological section of his
" Dolmens of Ireland," vol. iii., p. 1038. True, he suggests that " the forts of Aran may
have been occupied by a division of a tribe from the mainland," who held out success-
fully against the invaders ; but no division of a tribe that could subsist on Aran could
be expected to erect such massive fortific ations. Much more probable that the forts were
erected by these pirate chiefs or kings, with the labour of their foreign mercenaries,
to secure therein their wealth and treasure and to serve as the rendezvous after their
marauding expeditions.
1 "Poem of Flan of Bute," 1056, quoted by Windele in the paper referred tor
ante.
2 See Joyce's " Irish Names of Places," pp. 270, 283.
12
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
and the present structure was the work of Curoi Mac Daire1 and
Cingdorn.
Such forts as Caherconree may be classed amongst the remains of
our ancient military architecture, and the progress of this art in con-
nexion with those stone forts, which rank as military in a sense (in
distinction from the more purely domestic cahirs), can be clearly traced,
to whatever cause it may be attributable. The stone wall at Caherconree,
which, judging by the extreme weathering of the stones, and its section, I
look upon as one of the very oldest of our stone forts — was an advance
upon the earthen rath. A further stage of progression may be noticed in
the improved section — wider terraces and steps — of the Aran forts ; while
Dunbeg,2 with its extended circumvallations, its entrance defences, and
neatly formed squints, &c, marks a very great advancement in the
history of the art. Forts like Staigue, Caher Gel, and others in which a
different interior section prevails, appear to be of a later date, and
may be classed as a combination of the domestic and military, a kind of
residential fortress, to meet the requirements of the numerous chieftains
who had then established themselves in the country ; these in time give
place to the keep and castle of succeeding invaders.
With the assistance of Mr. Robert Fogerty, c.e., I was able to pre-
pare the drawings and sections of the wall shown on page 14; which,
together with the very successful photographs taken by Surgeon Fogerty,
and which he has kindly placed at my disposal, will give a better idea of
the fortress than the most lengthened description. The view of the fort
taken from the N.E. shows the entire wall. Unfortunately the wall is in
shadow, as it is only early in the day the sun shiues on it. The fort is
formed by a wall of uncemented masonry, built, as may be seen from the
map, across the base of a triangular spur of the mountain, the apex of
which points S.W. This may be described as the western end of the
Slieve Mis range, which terminates thus abruptly at this point. The
sides of the triangle are formed of cliffs, almost perpendicular, and nearly
200 feet high. These cliffs gradually widen out from the ends of the
1 Curoi Mac Daire was a famous sea rover (see Address of Professor Rhys, note,
ante), and his conquests extended far heyond the British isles. Keating mentions that
he had two royal palaces, Dunclaire and Duneochairmhaighe. The former, " The
Fort of the Board," O'Donovan locates in the townland of Farranicarrega, parish of
Ballinacourty (near Annascaul), Co. Kerry. The hitter, " The Fort on the Brink of the
Maigue," is douhtless Bruree, Co. Limerick. Caherconree must have been considered
the most secure of his strongholds, for it was there he brought the beautiful Blanaid
after her capture, and it is with this legend is interwoven some of the most interesting
portions of the history of Caherconree.
2 See my "Drawings of Dunbeg Fort" [Journal R. S.A.I. , 5th Series, vol. viii.,
p. 325). Dr.' Christison, in "Early Fortifications of Scotland," p. 153, remarks:
" Nothing is more remarkable in these primitive fortresses, whether Scottish, Welsh,
or Irish, than the apparent total absence of port-holes or windows of any description."
The squints at either side of the entrance to Dunbeg fort, which are neatly formed
in the masonry, about 8 inches square, afford an example of such port-holes. They
could he used for observation from the guard -room, or to defend the original entrance,
with long spears.
Plan .of Rampart
Map Plan of Fort, and Elevation and Plan of Rampart, Caherconree.
14
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
fort "wall into quick escarpments (covered with verdure) curving north
and south, and dropping, on the south side, 1800 feet down to the level
of the bed of the Finglas river, which is only 250 feet over sea level at
the base of Caherconree. The cliff is of the Old Red Sandstone conglome-
rate which covers the top of the mountain, and of this the rampart was built.
The supply was abundant. The stones are generally of a medium size,
about 2 to 3 cubic feet, though there are many larger stones to be met
with. The entire length of the main wall, from end to end, would be
about 350 feet. It runs straight in the centre and recedes at either end.
On the south side a light wall extends for some distance along the top of
Plan of North side of Entrance and Sections of Wall, Caherconree Fort.
the cliff; the remains are there, but it cannot have been more than 3 or
4 feet thick. This gives to the rampart, as spread out in its present
ruinous condition, the appearance of forming a regular arc of a circle, and
may have led to the mistakes originally made in describing it as a circle.
Indeed some time ago I received a sketch of the fort, from a gentleman,
made after a second visit and drawn as a circle figured seven chains
diameter.
The wall was built in one thickness. The faces are formed with
the best of the stones set lengthwise across the ivall — that is, with the
end outwards — and the interior was filled with an inferior class of work.
This may be seen in the photograph of the masonry of the rampart, where
CAHERCONREE, COUNTY KEIiRV.
15
a section of the parapet appears. This style of building was noticed
"by Professor Babington in Treceiri, and referred to by Dr. Christison in
a paper in Archmologia Cambrensis (5th Ser., vol. xv.). It is not so at
Dun Engus, Staigue, Dunbeg, or any other Irish fort I am acquainted
with. The thickness of the rampart as measured at the entrance is
about 16 feet 9 inches, but as there must be close on 4 feet of debris
under this level, there may have been another terrace increasing the base
of the wall to about 20 feet thick. If the chamber shown on section d
was formed in the thickness of the wall, as at Staigue (and I think this
most likely), the rampart should be at least 20 feet to enclose it, but this
is all conjecture, as the greater portion of the inner faces of the ram-
part lies a confused heap of stones. The outer face and some portions of
the parapet remain standing. This is in part due to the greater decay in
the stone, on the inner or weather side of the wall, and also no doubt to
the vandalism to which I will refer later on. The terracing on the inside
can be traced in a few places, which I have shown by the sections, as
far as the debris would permit, but in no case does the section show the
level of the original surface, or the base line of the wall. I find in these
forts the breadths of the terraces very often vary.
The wall is perpendicular on the outside. The parapet is well
defined where the wall stands. It is shown on photograph of entrance^
and measures 4 feet 6 inches wide and 4 feet 6 inches high, and I should
say this would be something near to the original top of the rampart.
At Treceiri the parapet is from 3 to 4 feet high and 5 feet wide.1 The
height taken outside at one point measured 10 feet 6 inches. Allowing
for some original coping to the rampart, and adding, say, 3 feet
for accumulation at the base, I should say the original wall was probably
about 15 feet high. The chamber shown on section d is the only one
we could discover inside the fort. It is Q -shaped, measuring 8 feet
along the line of the fort wall, which forms one side of it, with 6 feet
projection inwards. We searched for the pits described by Dr. Woods,
but could see none. I had one depression of the surface inside the wall,
which looked like one, opened up. I found 18 inches of solid peatv and
then the debris of the fallen wall, but no indication of a chamber. This
debris must have been there for centuries while this 18 inches of peat
was forming from the vegetation which covers the top of the mountain.
There are something like the reinains of two cloghans appearing on the
outside of the wall, marked X on the plan, but these may have been
shepherds' shelters at. some time. At the south end of the vallum there
is an artificial formation of stones, which has all the appearance of being
the remains of a chamber of some kind. From its position, this may
have been ' the suidhefaire, or watching seat, referred to by 0' Curry,2
which was situated outside the wall.'. It was from this seat ., that
1 See' " Treceiri and Eildon," Arch. Camb., 5th Series, vol. xiv., p. 22. ^
2 " Manners and Customs," vol. iii., p. 79.
16
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Cuchulainn performed those wonderful feats of prowess described in the
Lealhar na h- Uidhre. It would be the natural position for a sentry, so as
to command the approaches from the south, east, and west ; but, owing
to the slope of the ground, a similar arrangement should obtain for the
northern end of the vallum. The defences at that end have all fallen
away or are covered up with the vegetation. These are the only signs
of chambers we could discover. Like to most other forts, there is no
appearance of a water supply inside. At 125 feet from the northern
end of wall we exposed portions of both the jambs of the entrance. The
northern side stands 2 feet over the dehris, and I believe this to be about
the level of the lintels, but there are no signs of the covering stones. I
have been informed that some years ago the farmers living on the south
side of the mountain were in the habit of removing the long stones from
the Caher, and using them as lintels in the building of their houses. The
means employed was to secure a chain around the stone, and yoke it to
a donkey or mountain pony ; this would account for the disappearance of
the covering stones, and the steps to terraces (if any), and to the destruc-
tion of the entrance ; possibly the ruinous condition of the interior of the
wall may be due to the same cause. Though Caherconree, from its posi-
tion, escaped the depredations of the enterprising road-contractor, it was
not safe from the vandalism of the sordid farmer, that ruthless destroyer
of our stone forts and cloghans. The sides of the entrance appear to
have been straight, with no break or recess of any kind ; but the front
line of the wall curves regularly into it, as shown on the plan of north
side. This is the only bit of detail noticeable about the entrance ; but,
simple as it appears, it indicates an idea of style, beyond the rude piling
of stone upon stone, and necessitated the use of some hammer tools at
least to shape the stones. Indeed it is idle to suppose that any of our
stone forts could have been erected without the use of some tools to
quarry out the materials and hammer such stones as rough steps, &c,
into the required lengths. In the photograph taken of north side of
entrance, the figure marks the inside, and the outside is 15 feet distant
(see plan), the curve does not show. The largest stone seen in the photo-
graph is 5 feet long by about 8 inches high. The passage is 7 feet 6
inches wide. This was the width of the original entrance of Dunbeg,
afterwards reduced to 3 feet 6 inches. The passage inside the present
door at Dun Engus is 7 feet wide.1 There is a second breach in the
rampart 100 feet south of the entrance. This may have been what is
referred to by Dr. "Woods as a second entrance, but there is nothing to
indicate that it was so. There was a fosse outside the stone rampart.
1 Mr. Westropp is of opinion the present door (3 feet 6 inches wide) is the original
one of Dun Engus. (See Journal, M. S.A.I. , 5th Ser., vol. v., p. 258.) I helieve this
is not so, and that it is an insertion. The upright joint shown to the right on the
illustration accompanying his Paper is the side of the original opening, sis a similar
joint appears on the opposite side of the door. I measured between the joints ; it is
8 feet.
kQijnh CaHI11C0NR.EE I^lcEMAINS OF XoilTH SIDE OF ENTRANCE FROM lJSSILiE.
Jour. R.S.A.I., vol. ix., pt. i, p. i68
CAHERCONREE, COUNTY KERRY.
17
The top of the vallum can be traced along at 40 feet from the wall. On
the line of the vallum many large stones crop up, and it would appear as
if it were constructed of earth and stones combined. From the entrance
out to the line of the vallum many large stones may be noticed, in part
covered with the vegetation. This may denote the remains of a passage
or defence of some kind to the entrance, but without an excavation it is
impossible to state.
Within the limits of a visit no extensive clearings could be
attempted. "We might have gone a little farther, but, towards
evening, the clouds commenced to gather over Tralee Bay ; the moun-
taineers whispered significantly of the discomforts of a night on the
mountain. Our meteorologist gave orders to pack up, and so, reluctantly,
we left Caherconree. It is to be hoped that careful excavations may at
some time be made along the inner and outer lines of the rampart, &c,
securing the dangerous portions, but carefully avoiding any attempt to
restore it. What is required for our prehistoric monuments is not
restoration, but protection and properly directed scientific research.
JOUK. K.S.A.I., VOL. IX., I»T. I., OTH SEH.
( 18 )
KILMAKILLOGE, COUNTY KERRY.1
By MISS IIICKSOX, Hon. Local Secretary, Kerry.
[Submitted March 28, 1899.]
T cannot see' any good reason, as yet, for believing that the primitive
missionary saint of this remote place in the ancient Desmond, now
part of Kerry, was a Saint Killian. I do not profess to be skilful in
hagiology, but I have studied sufficient of the subject, so far as it relates
to Ireland and Great Britain, to know that after the year 660 or 700 the
names of the primitive saints in Wales and Ireland, founders of churches,
were often superseded and forgotten, and the names of later saints were
substituted for them, better known and calendared in the Roman Breviary,
and mentioned by Colgan and Butler. An instance of this is given at
page 448, vol. viii., Fourth Series of this Journal, in the case of St.
Grigoir of Corcaguiny. According to Rev. Father Shearman, this pri-
mitive saint was patron of Glenbegh in Iveragh, but the patronage was
transferred in later ages to Pope Gregory the Great. The patron day at
Glenbegh was changed to the 12th of March,2 the festival of that great
Pope, after the English Invasion of 1171 and the acknowledgment of
Henry the Second as Lord of Ireland by Pope Adrian, or it may have
been at a much earlier date, circa a.d. 700, when the Irish Church fully
admitted the Papal Supremacy. Such changes were extremely natural,
in fact inevitable, between the latter year and the present century, in a
land of change like Ireland. Within the last fifty years, the name of
Kilmeany, in North Kerry, almost certainly a corruption of the Irish
Kilmuine, the Church of the Shrubbery or brake, has been transformed
into Kilmuire. My own memory of it goes back full sixty-five years,
and it was then and long after always called Kilmeany. It is very
interesting to note that this old name is the same as that of the famous
old church of St. David in Wales (so closely connected with St. Patrick
and his mission to Ireland), Latinized in modern times to Menevia. The
ancient church of St. Mochaemog, or Mocheallog, was probably at or
near the oratory, or cloghaun, which Mr. Biggar found near what he
calls the lake of St. Mochionlane, but which I always, thirty or forty
years ago, knew as Lough Quinlan, and believed to be a corruption of
the Irish for the Church (llan) of the Arbutus. Llan, as Dr. Joyce
and other authorities say, was the very oldest name for Irish Christian
1 Vol. i., Fifth Series, 1890, pp. 47 and 48, and vol. viii., pp. 314 and 412. 1898.
2 A passage in the first volume of the "Annals of Ulster," translated by W. M.
Hennessy, notices this change.
KILMAKILLOGE, COUNTY KERRY.
19
•churches, and it is, as we know, common in Wales. Lands near the
river and the Dominican monastery in Tralee are called in the Survey of
Forfeitures, in 1587, Lough Llan Cannaan {%. e. the Lake of the Church
of the Canons) alias Lulghort Cannaan (the herb garden of the Canons),
tolerably plain indications that before the Dominicans came to Tralee,
which was long after 1225, there had been a primitive settlement first of
"Welsh monks and then of Augustinian canons at the same place, between
a.d. 500 and 1100. In the same way the Irish name of the modern
-Schull in South Cork, evidently a corruption of the Irish place-name
Scumhal, now pronounced Scool, a most appropriate one for a district full
■of cliffs and mountain precipices, and also found in Clare (see Joyce's
" Irish Names of Places," Second Series, page 363), has in modern times
been said to be a corruption of the Latin Scholia, because there was a
■college or school there in mediaeval times dedicated to the Blessed
Virgin. The students and people of this college, who probably knew
little or nothing of the Irish language, and were well versed in Latin,
transformed this old place name of prehistoric and pagan ages into
Scholia, and by degrees it became the popular Schull for the mixed race
of modern days. Hundreds of our present place-names originally de-
scriptive of the natural features of the country, have been transformed
again and again in this way. I have no doubt, as I already observed,
at page 312 of this Journal for December, 1898, that the place now
called Kilelton, because St. Eltan, a primitive Christian Missionary,
founded a church there over a pagan tumulus was in pre-Christian times
called Kilelty, a corruption of the Irish for the wood of the doe, a
creature connected with pagan traditions and worship. (See Joyce,
1st vol., p. 427, and Borlase's "Dolmens of Ireland.") If the Lough
Quinlan of Tuosist, in a graceful poem by Denis Florence Mac Carthy
{" Book of Irish Ballads," edited by Sir S. Ferguson, p. 49, A. H. Duffy's
edition), is not a corruption of the Irish for Lake of the Arbutus, it is
probably simply the Lake of Quinlan or O'Quinlan, still the name in
Kerry of a well-known old Irish family.
Although Tuosist was occupied and owned by the O'Sullivans in and
before the sixteenth century (when the septs of Mor and Beare of that
•clan had patent confirmatory grants from Queen Elizabeth, recorded in
the Carew MSS. in the Lambeth Library, with full pedigrees of each
sept), it must be remembered that before a.d. 1100' the O'Sullivans were
not in Kerry or Desmond at all. The name Tuosist witnesses to the
O'Siosta (O'Shea) clan having been the original owners of Iveragh, and
part of what became O'Sullivan Beare's lands after 1500. And the new
revelations afforded by the calendared State ltecords, too much neglected,
and the examination of the Desmond Survey of 1587, open up curious
questions connected with place-names and personal names in the modern
Kerry and upset many accepted popular notions about them. The
•O'Siosta sept or clan is listed in the Desmond Survey as subject to the
C 2
20 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
forfeiting Earl of 1580, and in the calendared Fiants of Queen Elizabeth,,
which I gave at page 48 of the volume for 1890 of this Journal, the-
rectory of Kilmackeollok CP Cestie, as the English surveyors wrote the
Irish words, is mentioned. In other sixteenth- century State Records,
and in Bishop Crosbie's returns for the Regal Yisitation of 1615 (he was
a native Irishman and his wife an O'Lalor, both better versed in Irish
than modern writers), it is written KilmsLlochmsta, the 0' Siosta name
being still carefully indicated, although it was altered a little and poli-
tically and socially eclipsed by the O'Sullivans. That it was the
original of the modern O'Shea is certain. Ancient records and State
Papers prove the 0' Sheas were the old owners of Iveragh, and had
acquired from the O'Ealveys lands in Corcaguiny. Daingean TJi Chuis,
now Dingle, may have been part of these, for certainly the O'Siosta
name was, as we have seen, frequently written O'Chuista. The last
mention of it as a surname I can find is in a pardon of Elizabeth's reign,
calendared by the Deputy Keeper R. 0. I., dated 10th September, 1601,,
to " John O'Coshe of Stradbally, in Corcaguiny," not very far from the-
Daingean TJi Chuis, now Dingle.1
1 Journal, vol. i., Fifth Series, p. 688, note.
( 21 )
NOTES AND FOLKLORE FROM THE RENTES COPY OF
THE "DINDSENCHAS."
By T. J. WESTROPP, M.A., M.R.J.A., Fellow.
[Read November 24, 1897.]
ifT^KE Dindsenchas, "Tales of the Duns" of Ireland, not merely the
forts, but other prominent objects (such as palaces, tombs, lakes,
hills, and bays), is an ancient collection of tales collected and added to
by various writers from time to time down to the eleventh or twelfth
century. It is attributed to Amorgein, poet of the Deisi of Tara, and the
earliest copy is found in the^Book of Leinster.
The recent translation of its prose tales by Dr. Whitley Stokes in
Revue Celtique, suggests that to many of our members even a very slight
sketch of some fragmentary results of its study might prove welcome.1
It must have received many additions before 1150, as its loose
texture facilitated such insertions, so the internal indications of dates
are of very little value, and, I think, the latest — the cessation of the
Tailtin Games about 925 — precedes the date of our earliest copy by
two centuries. The dates noticeable in the main work (sections 1-130)
relate to the fifth and sixth centuries. The second part (to 153) mentions
St. Columba, Guaire Aidne, and one event in a.d. 557, while the third
part names the sons of Aed Slaine, who were joint Kings of Erin in
a.d. 664.
This would suggest an original work of some antiquity with two
appendices spread over two centuries ; but several very important poems,
by which the prose is " verified," are much later than the seventh cen-
tury (one is of the beginning of the eleventh), so we dare not lay much
stress on the date marks.
There are some old features, however, supporting the theory of an
early substratum in the present collection. The Cuchulainn and Red
Branch legends are referred to twelve times,2 while there are only three
allusions to Finn.3 Women hold a very high place in it as the equals of
men or even their superiors — rulers, warriors, poets, druids, athletes,
and rent-collectors of both sexes appearing. Clare is assigned to Con-
naught, suggesting an earlier date than circa 610, when Dioma, King of
<3ashel, crushed the Connacian's claims to " Lughad Redhand's cruel
1 " Revue Celtique," vol. xv. (1894), p. 272, &c, and vol. xvi. (1895), p. 310.
2 Sections 53, 54, 66, 95, 119, 120, 130, 132, 71, 72, 104, 105.
3 Sections 27, 31, 49.
22 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
sword land" at the decisive battle of Knocklong. Monastic, and even?
Christian, influence is practically absent ; the morality (or non-morality)
is Pagan, but the worse forms of vice and cruelty scarcely appear.
There are very few suggestions of the Graeco-Roman myths, and those
so vague that we cannot assert them to be necessarily shadows of the
legends of Circe and Helen.
The older religions do not make much figure in the stories. "We
have the well-known legend of the prostrations of Tigernmais before the
idol Crom, and an allusion to a Saxon idol, Hethurion. But the inhabi-
tants of the $idhs, or elf-mounds, and the deified or demonic Tuatha De
Danann constantly appear.
Topographical Arrangement.
When we examine and mark on the map the localities of the stories-
so far as identified, we notice a certain topographical arrangement
which has evidently been slightly impaired by the later additions.
We commence with the oft-quoted sections on Tara and Brugh, and
find two groups of names in Leinster, one along the northern counties,
from Lough Ree to the Boyne, along the coast to Dublin, and thence-
inland to Naas and Mullaghmast. The second group lies along the
Munster border and the Nore and Barrow.
In Munster we find a group in the hills south of Kilmallock,1 and a
few names round the coast. Killarney, with, perhaps, Limerick and
the Shannon or its estuary, are included.
In Connaught a large group of names lie round Galway Bay from
Magh Adhair, near Quin, to Clew Bay. A second group, from Drom-
cliff, near Sligo, and Lough Conn, joins the North-Leinster group at
Lough Ree.
Ulster, by contrast, is poorly represented by some half-dozen names
chiefly on the coast ; the rest extend round Lough Erne, and from
Emania to Dundalk.
The first supplement is almost confined to Ulster and Connaughtr
the second is miscellaneous, but ends with the legend of Emania and
Macha's brooch, as if to balance Tara in the opening section.
To sum up, we have lines of names from Sligo to the Boyne mouth,,
and from Armagh to Waterford, with groups round Lough Erne and
Galway Bay ; and a suggestive interest is shown in the Red Branch.
heroes and the sons of Huamore.
The stories may be roughly divided in this proportion — 30 marvels,
23 monsters and wonderful animals, 16 violent deaths and battles, 1&
deaths from love, grief, or shame, 11 forts and cairns built, 10 love cases-
and elopements, 9 forests and clearings, 7 wells and waterbursts, 11
miscellaneous.
1 Also of note in the " Mesga Ulad.'
NOTES AND FOLKLORE FROM THE U DINDSENCHAS." 23
"Wonders and Monsters.
Wonders, as in all simple states of society, were in great demand.
Othello's repertoire scarcely contains more quaint hobgoblins and
monsters. We meet at the outset the horrible Mata of the Boyne —
a sort of giant tortoise, with 7 heads and 7 score legs. Its great
" hurdle of ribs," and shinbone, when cast up by the sea, give names to
Athcliath (hurdleford) or Dublin, and Inver-Colptha (shinbone inlet),
the Boyne mouth. Its other bones formed a mound in the cemetery of
Brugh. Next we meet Meche, son of the Morrigain ; he had three
hearts, which were snakes, and would have grown and wasted all
Ireland had not MacCecht slain him. The reptiles were burned and
thrown into the Barrow, but even in their ashes so lived their wonted
poison that the rapids stayed and the fishes died. Ever since then the
Barrow has been " dumb " and sluggish (Berba = dumb water). Lutair,
a monster with 17 heads, and legs 50 cubits long, wins the love of a
lady, whose scandalized wooer storms the house and slays the inmates.1
The more conventional monsters are also well represented. A harper
tried to bring the fairy Baine out of her mound by harping, but, instead
of a lovely woman, a dragon springs out, and he dies of the fright. Is
there here an ungallant meaning intended by some poet whose ladylove's
amiability had not stood the test of marriage ? In this tale another dragon,
a fiery one, unaccountably masquerading as a salmon, is a stepmother, and,
after being driven out of her lake by St. Fursey, will arise at the Last
Day and afflict Ireland in revenge for John the Baptist ; but how the
Irish, of all nations, got involved in this disgrace is left a secret be-
tween the saint and the piast. A very dangerous monster, the Rosualt,
is also described, which spouts at Murrisk in Mayo, and a pestilence
ensues. This is stated of the whale in other ancient works. When the
whale spouts upwards flying creatures die ; when downward it kills the
fish, and when at the land a plague ensues.2
Uncanny human creatures abound. Olc Ai comes out of the Cave of
Cruachan to fight, gnashing his teeth, and shaking his beard so fiercely
that Erne and her maidens take to flight, and are drowned in the
lake that bears her name. Nothain, daughter of Conmaer, can eat a
dinner for a hundred every day. On this liberal ration she lives for 150
years, and only dies for a point of honour, so as not to outlive the last
survivor of her home circle.3 We meet crowds of suggestive names, as
" Coimgin Hornskin " (a sort of Irish Sigurd or Achilles), " Cernan
Hardhead," " Hundred Ears," " Uinche Key Mouth," " Shield Mouth,"
" Horse Head," " Four Heads," and " Borg the bellowing."4
Outside Ireland and its inmates lies the ocean with its sea folk and
those mystic Isles, the Isle of Truth and the Land of Promise, containing
1 Sections 4, 28, 13, 23. 2 Sections 47, 76. 3 Sections 80, 87.
4 Sections 51, 25, 38, 27, 39, 78, 80.
24 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
the Paradise of Magh Mell. From a perusal of the Dindsenchas the
inhabitants who visit our Island seem to be usually beset by misfortune.
Clidhna, daughter of Genand, comes out of a " tulach " (mound) in
Magh Mell. She embarks in a boat of bronze with Iuchna, the " curly-
haired," but he enchants her, and the boat drifts to the south of Ireland,
gets overturned, and the lady is drowned in the surf which bears her
name. Sinind, another inhabitant, goes to visit a well under the sea,
and getting drowned gives her name to the river Shannon.1
Similar fates befall mortals. Ruad, an Irish lady, is put to sleep by
the mermaid's songs, and drowned near Assaroe (JEa& maid). Another
Ruad (a man) loves nine fair nymphs, and on his proving false they
pursue his bronze boat ; he is escaping when one of the ladies beheads
her son and throws the head after its father. The other sisters stop
and cry "Is olbine ! " "Oh, great crime," whence the name Inbher
n-ailbine, the Delvin river, north of Malahide. Even a casual meeting
with such beings may prove fatal, for Roth is torn up by the sweetly-
singing mermaids of Waterford Harbour, which was called Port Lairgi,
from his thigh.2
The " Isle of Truth " has certainly no right to appear in so menda-
cious a topography, and we only hear of a sod brought from it to form a
judgment-seat from which no unjust sentence could be pronounced.3
Magic.
Next to monsters and miracles, magic excited most interest, but we
can only allude to some strange spells and personal traits of the en-
chanters. Blighting, blemishing, and death could be hurled at any
unfortunate mortal who in any way offended a wizard or bard. Aige
became a fawn and then a bag of water by the malice of the Siabra
(elves), loosed on her by her enemies, while her brother Fafne put blotches
on the King of Erin. Be swelled up and died for having concealed an
ale-feast from a poet, and Gel, in the same story, gives her rath to a
sage who had threatened to blemish her. The oft-quoted legend of
Lough Derg tells us how Ferchertne, the poet, " the cruellest man in
Erin," asks for King Eochy's only eye and gets it. It is some comfort
to know that as a reward for the monarch's generosity both his eyes are
restored by the benevolent well in which he washed the bleeding socket.
Carman, the Athenian, blights the corn of the Tuatha De Danann,
but is defeated and held as a hostage. While Athirne sings against
Leinster from the top of Howth. The earliest Milesian army has much
of this irregular warfare to contend against ; it is deceived by phantom
opponents on Slieve Mish in Kerry, and is fought by Cicul's men, who
only use one leg, arm, and eye to make their spell work better, and so
get deservedly exterminated.4
1 Sections 45, 59. 2 Sections 81, 5, 42.
4 Sections 15, 21, 04, 18, 20, 41.
3 Section 100.
NOTES AND FOLKLORE FROM THE u DINDSENCHAS." 25
Magic could, however, be also used for protection and mercy.
Alguba warms the Milesian camp with fires kindled by wringing his
hands ; Maistiu embroiders a protective cross on her father's tunic, while
the magic doctors (Diancecht, by a bath of herbs at Moytura, and
Trostan, the Pictish wizard, by a bath of milk at Ardlemnachta) revive
and cure the wounded and dying. The four birds of Baile haunt
Carbre Liffechair ; " Tortha, Tortha, I come, I come," sang two, " Tiagu,
Tiagu, I go, I go," sang the other two. These dreadful and unen-
durable lampoons were hurled at the King for 7 times 50 nights. At
last the persecuted monarch consulted his wizard Bicne, and the latter,
by means of a magic tree to which he stuck the persecutors, silenced
the satires of these troublesome fowls, " and there was no mocking of
Cairpre thenceforward."1
The enchanter could also be punished, as he richly deserved, even
by non-miraculous means, as when Mide cut out the wizard's tongues,
or Dub, who was drowning her husband's second wife by spells, was
struck by a slingstone cast by a faithful servant, and fell into the pool
of Dublin, which bears her name.2
Some of the spells deserve special note and research. "We find the very
curious case of Find, who pursues his enemy till he sees his shadow, and
breathing a charm on his own spear, darts it through the shade, upon
which the fugitive falls dead. All this is to the last degree suggestive
of confusion between the shadow, soul, and life. Fraech of Carnfree
shakes a rowan tree over the " Black linn " of the Suck, and, thereby,
disturbs and is wounded by apiast, while the enchanted pig -men are
told to " shake the tree of Tarbga and eat the salmon " in Mayo. A
tub made of twigs drips while the tide flows and stops when it ebbs,
and the peak of Howth increases in height in sympathy with the
growth of Erin (whence Inis Erinn or Ireland's Eye) till that heroine is
incommoded "by the spears of the wind," and her fosterer stops its
growth.3 Both these stories are interesting as showing the supposed
sympathy of inanimate objects with men and the life in nature. In-
deed, this belief has not yet died out even at Howth, for the existence
of the old tree near the Castle is said to be connected with the duration
of the earldom of Howth.
Natural History.
Birds, &c. — The next subject of interest I may describe as "natural
history." The physiology is nearly as wonderful as the animals'
actions. We have already heard of the three snakes as hearts. Manannan
Mac Lir casts three griefs out of his heart, and they become three
"Loughs," two being Strangford and Waterford Harbour. Mac Oc
shapes his kisses into the satirical birds which persecuted Cairbre
1 Sections 62, 32, 39, 108, 117. » Sections 7, 26.
3 Sections 49, 132, 71, 11, 109.
26
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Liffechair. A lady's lover and brother also become birds, and a flock from
the li Land of Promise " meet St. Patrick at Cruachan Aigle, and smiting
a lake with their wings turn it white. Other remarkable fowls appear ;
Cuchulain flees from black birds, having ravens' bodies and thick feet
for swimming in the sea, each being 7 hand-lengths in size.
Very different from the satirical birds is Bairche's hen. She is
twice mentioned, and on one occasion this infallible cure for insomnia
lulls a man to sleep for three fortnights by her clucking. Only one
other bird need be noted — a hawk, reared by Mossad, who fed it so well
that it ended )hy devouring horses, herds, and men, and when it could
get no more food it ate Mossad himself.1
Cattle. — These are not forgotten. Some shed their horns for grief at
the loss of their herdsmen. Two swallow worms which become the "Dim"
bull of Cuailgne and his opponent " Whitehorn." Bres forces Nechtan,
the King of Munster, to supply 100 men with the milk of dun cows.
Nechtan avenges himself by singeing and staining all his cattle dun
colour, and also making sham cows full of liquid peat. Pres was
under a geasa, or obligation, to drink the product, and so drank the de-
lectable beverage, from which he never recovered, but died after 7 years
7 months and 7 days on the Old Head of Kinsale.2
Swine. — Of course swine then as now were of national importance.
Derbrenn, the Irish Circe, keeps six human beings in the form of swine.
A woman desires a steak from one, and a tale is, accordingly, told of the
chase of these unhappy creatures across Connaught. Another great pig-
hunt is that of Ailill and Meave after the magic swine which come out
of the Cave of Cruachan and blight the crops. When at last the herd
is run to earth Maeve catches the last by the hind leg as it vanishes
underground, and it leaves its skin in her hand and disappears. We
also hear of a grey one-eyed pig running under the Bog of Allen, and
several warriors are killed by swine. Lena feeds his grandfather's pig
till there are 7 inches of fat on its nose ; he then sells it, but, in the act
of driving it to its new owner, falls asleep in a trench. The pig goes
rooting round and buries him alive, though the unfortunate man is able
to stab it through the earth before he is quite smothered.3
Dogs, "Wolves, and Deee. — Few other animals take a leading part
in the stories. We would expect much about dogs and wolves and get
very little. One hound dies pi anger at failing to overtake its quarry ;
another is found in a human skull ; and Connall Cairnech is pursued
by the three red wolves of the Martini.4
Four elf kings of the Sidhs on Moenmagh quarrelled about certain
lady elves who had rejected them. Fearing lest they might be seen by
mortals and lose their powers of invisibility they took the form of deer,
1 Sections 98, 117, 105, 68, 54, 89, 149.
3 Sections 71, 70, 112.
- Sections 16, 66, 123, 46.
4 Sections 37, 101, 72.
NOTES AND FOLKLORE FROM THE u DINDSUNCHAS." 27
and fought till they made five mounds of their antlers and hoofs. A
well broke out to stop the slaughter, and made a lake of "many-
colours " (re-ach), now Lough Reagh, which turns sheep red every
seventh year at the proper hour.1
Wateb. — The last story brings us to the subject of waterbursts,
which, evidently, had much interest for an ancient audience. Lakes and
streams break forth from all sorts of improbable objects, the gore of a
man's heart or its sorrows, a magic horse, a grave, or a calf shed ; they
spring forth to honour the birth of a king, or to drown a violater of
their honour ; they embody themselves and appear to mortals, as when
the River Slaney was seen in a dream as a fair lady fighting her lake-
son (born after 800 years) and leaping through his body.2
Tkees. — Trees were held in high esteem, especially the rowan, oak, ash,,
and yew. The Moognoe oak and Tortan ash at Ardbraccan were, however,
cut down in 740 and 660 (as the Bili or oak of Magh Adhair in Clare was.
cut down in 982). The Eo Rossa yew in Fermanagh was called with
awe " The Trinity's Mighty One," an echo of " The Trees of the Lord "
in olden time. The ash trees of TJisneach and Eathi grew in Westmeath,
while the giant oak Eomughna or Moognoe near "the pillar of tho
living tree "3 suggests "the oaks of the pillar," at which Abimelech in
Israel and the O'Brien in Thomond were inaugurated princes of their
respective clans. Clearings and plantings are recorded in Armagh,
Roscommon, Galway, Tipperary, Carlow, and Kilkenny.4 The trees
are cut with spears in one instance.
It is hard to refrain from giving some account of the buildings,
manners, and customs of the actors in these tales, and their occasional
pithy sayings. The burial lore alone is of great interest, and the con-
struction of forts gets valuable side lights. I will only note that Dun
Criffan on Howth was visible from inland Meath, and (if this statement
is reliable) cannot be the fort at the great Bailey to which the name is
applied, but rather that on the " Doon Hill," now levelled.5
As actual records of name origins, these legends must be considered
as of little, if any, value. The most complex and wonderful origins are
given for the simplest and most obvious names, and often, for the better
instruction of students, three or four divergent " reasons" are recorded.
In fact one is often reminded of the variants in certain Arab legends
without their pious ending, "but which is true, Alia alone knows."
Tor other, if not for philological, reasons the value of the work is con-
siderable. "While hoping that even so slight a sketch as is here given
may help our students of local folk-lore, I will leave to others to study
more fully these strange waifs from the past, and close with the last
Words of the supplement — " it endeth — Amen — it endeth."
1 Section 158. 2 Sections 137, 79, 40, 67, 50, 19, 40. 3 Sections 34, 50, 160.
4 Sections 13, 43, 44, 62, 69, 134. 5 Section 3.
28
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
NOTES REFERRING TO THE ARCHER CHALICE.
By JAMES G. ROBERTSON, Hon. Ffllow.
[Read January 1 1, 1898.]
|~n exhibiting the accompanying illustration of this interesting relic
connected with Kilkenny, I regret to add that there is nothing
known respecting its history. I have not been able to learn where or
The Archer Chalice.
by whom it has been so carefully preserved from the year 1606 to 1896,
when it made its appearance in the shop window of Messrs. Richards
and Walsh, watch and clocktnakers, South Anne-street, Dublin.
NOTES E INFERRING TO THE ARCHER CHALICE.
29
The following description of the chalice will, I hope, with the aid of
the illustration, contribute to render the appearance of this relic more
clearly understood.
Premising that subsequent to the writing and reading of my paper,
I learned that, in describing the chalice, I had been anticipated in a
pamphlet entitled, "The Altar Plate of the Franciscan Church, Cork, &c,
by Robert Day, t\s.a., &c.," as I consider Mr. Day's description much
superior to my own, I have adopted it. I am also indebted to him for
the photograph.
" This chalice resembles those in the Franciscan church, Cork. It is of the same
period and character, and its double inscription affords a clue to the earlier part of its
history. It is 7| inches high ; the howl is 3| inches in diameter and 3 inches deep ;
the base is 5f inches in extreme width. The bowl is plain and undecorated, and rests
on the usual six-sided stem, which is divided by a chased knot of six roses fully blown.
The foot spreads out into six panels, of which originally five were plain, and one only
engraved with the crucifixion. The blood flows from the Saviour's hands and side, and
upon the mound upon which the cross rests are the spear and ladder, while at the
Eedeemer's feet are the emblems of mortality, and above His head the letters
<i.n.r:i.'
" All this engraved work was done when the chalice was made, and before it was
overlaid with gold. It was then the chalice of Walter Archer, and used in his private
chapel, or in his house, and so continued until he had, some thirty years after, a second
inscription engraved beneath the foot.
" There are two inscriptions on the chalice, both engraved in Roman letters ; the
first is on the plinth of the base, and is in larger letters than the other, which is under
the foot. They are —
(1.) ORATE X PRO X AN1A X WALTEEI X ARCHER X FILII X
RICARDI X 1606.
(2.) IDEM X WALTKRVS X HVNC X CALICEM X DONAVIT X CAPELLZE 1 X
B. MARLZE X IN X MONRI° X S. PRANCISCI X KILKENI^E X
When or before he presented this chalice he had the five remaining panels filled
with effigies of S. Franciscus, S. Patricius, S. Gualterus, S. Bernardus, B. Maria, all
these being engraved over the gilding, and not under it, as in the first panel.
St. Francis, standing, holds a crucifix in his crossed hands, which, with his side,
show the stigmata. He wears the hood thrown back from his forehead, around which
is a circular-rayed nimbus. St. Patrick is mitred, and stands, with crosier and arch-
bishop's cross, in the act of blessing, while a noxious reptile is powerless at his feet.
St. Walter holds a crosier in the right hand, and a vine branch, with grapes, and three
ears of corn, in the left ; above his head is a vesica- shaped nimbus. St. Bernard has a
circular nimbus, and his hands are joined in an attitude of prayer.
St Mary is represented as seated, and draped in a hooded mantle. Her head is
circled with a plain nimbus, a ci-oss is above her forehead, and a star is upon her right
shoulder. She holds the Infant Saviour on her knee, who has a rayed nimbus, and He
points to the star with the two first fingers in the act of blessing.
In the upper and lower angles of some of the panels acorns are introduced, and over
the figure of St. Francis a rose of pounced work. Under the panels are the names of
1 The ' i ' in Capeliae would appear to be an error of the engraver, it should be
' L.'
30
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
the saints, the whole resting on a flanged and six-pointed foot. There are not any hall
•or town marks, and the chalice was probably made in Kilkenny, as it has all the
character of local Irish manufacture. It weighs 13 oz. 9 dwt."
Mr. Day omits pointing out that the name S. Gvalterus is engraved
in larger letters than those of the other saints, and it may be that the
name of Walter was given to the donor of the chalice, because he had
beeu born on that saint's day. There are now very few traces of gilding
upon the chalice.
In closing the description of the chalice, it may not be out of place to
remark, that its style seems to have been that which prevailed about the
first quarter of the seventeenth century, not only as regards the hexagonal
shape of stem and base, but also the practice of engraving the names of
donors under the foot. I have a small engraving of a chalice exhibit-
ing the above-mentioned points of design, date 1626 ; and I understand
that the Kilkenny chalice, , described by the Rev. J. F. M. ffrench,
displays them.
As it may add to the interest of my subject, I beg to make a few
brief allusions to the Archer family, described by the late Mr. John G.
A. Prim, one of the most active founders of this Society, as a "highly
respectable mercantile family." The earliest mention of them which I
■can find is in the "History of the Cathedral of St. Canice," where it is
stated that certain lands in the county of Kilkenny were demised to
Gregory Fitz-John Archer in the year 1402 ; from the same source in the
portion of the work devoted to " Inscribed Monuments," I learn that
Margaret Archer, wife of Nicholas Hakked, nephew of Bishop David
Hakked, died a.d. 1528. 1 On the inscription sculptured on the front of
the pediment over the very interesting (if not unique) well in the court-
yard connected with Kothe's house, we find it recorded that John Rothe
and Rose Archer, his wife, had built the well, dated 1604, and adjacent
house and offices.2 Mr. Prim quotes the following extract from a royal
visitation of 1615 (Library of Royal Irish Academy): — "Sir Lucas
Archer was Titular Abbott of the Holy Crosse and the Pope's Yicar
General for the Diocese of Ossory, Archdeacon of the same, dwelling at
Kilkenny." Again, I find that, in the year 1623, Peter Archer3 was
1 In p. 3, Hist. MSS., Com. Rep. 14, App. p. vii, vol. i. of the printed MSS. of
the Marquis of Ormonde, amongst other names, we find that of James Archer, of
Artery.stoune, 1543.
3 The inscription on front of the well affords presumptive evidence that the well was
open to the public, who would pass through an open archway from the street, then
called the coal-market ; the name of Parliament-street was substituted, and the coal-
market removed, within my own recollection. The old Parliament House of the
Catholic Confederates stood on the site of the present entrance-gates of the new markets.
3 Archer's Grove is a beautifully situated, small demesne (50 acres Ir. m.), over the
Nore ; immediately under it are mills which, for many years, stood in ruins, until
within the last three or four years, when Mr. Edward Pennessy took them, and has
"put one into a very substantial condition. On going through it with him about two
years ago, he directed my attention to a very rudely-carved stone set in the inside of
•a gable wall. On it are carved the initials of P. A., probably of Peter Archer, and
the arms of the family (see illustration).
Well in the Courtyard of Eothe's House, Kilkenny.
Jour. R. S.A.I. , vol. ix , pt. i, p. 30.
F.RONT View oe Eothe's House, Parliament- st., Kilkenny, in 1898,
After the roof and chimneys had been restored, but before the front had been renovated.
our. R.S.A.I., vol. ix., pt. i,
NOTES REFERRING TO THE ARCHER CHALICE.
31
Mayor of the Bull Ring; a post which seems to have conferred both honour
and fees upon the holder. I may add to this that I attended the last bull-
bait which was held in Kilkenny. I think it was on Michaelmas Day,
1832, the day on which mayors were elected under the old system.
Several sculptured stones 1 about the churchyards, and mediaeval
houses of Kilkenny bear witness to the high social standing of the Archer
family, but I regret that I can only exhibit somewhat imperfect illustra-
tions of two of these. Several places also
bear the name of the family, such as Archer' s
Lease, Archer's Grove, Archer's Fields,
and Archer Street.
Their town house
also remains in
good condition;
although modern-
ised, still some of
the mullioned win-
dows and octagonal
cutstone chimney
shafts are to be
seen, and the ac-
companying rubbing and reduced copy of it will give a good idea of
the sculptured coat of arms which is set in the street front, over
the hall-door.2
I believe that the late Rev. John F. Shearman, p.p., m.r.i.a., was
born in this house, which is still in the possession of his brother's widow,
in whose hands it is in remarkably good keeping.
Monogram of Peter Archer.
Insignia of Martin Archer.
1 Many years ago, when examining tombstones in St. Patrick's churchyard,
Kilkenny, I observed the top of a thick and carefully wrought stone exposed a little
over the ground ; on it were neatly carved the arrow-heads of the Archer family, and
two or three lines of a Latin epitaph could be seen. I intended to have got the earth
removed about it, but when I subsequently went to look after it, the stone had been
reburied or removed — I could never find it again.
2 See illustration. From the inscription underneath it we learn the source whence
the late Sir Martin Archer Shee, p.r.a., was so named. The following is the in-
scription under the insignia of Martin Archer, in old English characters : —
Insignia Marti
ni Jlrcber
* * * Kilhenmensis
1582
* * % The rubbing fails to give the letters cat here, probably " civitatis " or
"civis." The armorial insignia is a shield bearing a chevron with three arrow-
heads, in allusion to the name of Archer.
( 32 )
ON A FORTIFIED STONE LAKE-DWELLING ON AN ISLAND
IN LOUGH CULLEN, COUNTY MAYO.
By EDGAR L. LAYARD, C.M.G.
[COMMUNICATED RY THE REV. J. F. M. FFRENCH, VICE-PRESIDENT.]
[Read January 17, 1899.]
T^ncouraged by the kind reception given by the Boyal Society of Anti-
quaries of Ireland to my former communication on the fortified
stone lake-dwelling on Lough Skannive in Connemara, I venture to send
to the Society the following notice of another stone lake-dwelling seen
by me on Loagh Cullen, near Foxford, in the county Mayo.
My son and I were fishing for pike on this lough, and on nearing an
island, about the centre of it, we immediately recognised a stone lake-
dwelling, but far larger than those on Skannive. On questioning our
boatmen we learnt that the island was called " Garrison Island " ; why,
they could not tell ! "But who," we asked, " constructed the build-
ing ? " " Ah ! sure " was the reply, u some small farmer had the island
and built a house for himself on it " ! ! and this was all the information
we could obtain about it. We determined to return another day, with
the kodak camera, and examine the structure. This we accomplished,
and I have the pleasure of forwarding some views taken by my son from
various points, for the purpose of illustration. I will now describe
the structure, and further allude to the pictures.
The island on which it is built is ovoid in shape, and about 150
yards long. The building occupies the whole of the wider end, and
stretches from side to side down to the water. It is nearly circular,
being 102 feet across from E.S.E. to W.N.W., and 103J- feet measured
across that line, at right angles, the outside of the walls being included.
They are 8 or 9 feet in thickness, and about 17 feet high on the land
side, and, perhaps, 20 or 25 feet to the water, where they drop into
the lake.
They are formed of stones of various sizes, some being very large,
weighing probably several tons. These are shown in the views marked
1, 2, and 3. A strong mortar or cement was used in some places to bind
the stones together ; I send a piece to show its coarseness and hardness.
Over and inside the cavity shown in the centre of view 2, there is a
large stone upheld, apparently, entirely by this strong cement. At first
we were inclined to think that this cavity was a doorway, from the even
surface of the left side ; but the inside is so blocked up with stone and
Stone Lake-dwelling, Lough Cullen.
Jour. R.S.A.I., vol. ix.f pt. i, p. 33.
STOKE LAKIi-DWELUNGj LOUGH CULLEN, CO. MAYO. 33
cement that we were forced to the conclusion that it was merely a break
in the continuity of the wall, caused by the falling out of the stones from
being imperfectly " bonded" on that left side. Supposing it to have
been a doorway, it could only have been a source of weakness to the
citadel. It would have been shut with a wooden door, and thus vulnerable
by fire. I conceive that access was obtained to the inside of the building
by ladders that could be let down from the top and withdrawn at
pleasure.
Some of the stones are about two yards long by one thick, thus dif-
fering essentially from those used on Lough Skannive, where they are
all small.
On the north and west sides the building is much dilapidated. The
nearest shore of the lough is on the west side.
Yiew 3 is that of the south side, showing the " round " of the build-
ing to the westward. Unfortunately, we get a view of my son's
fishing-rod, which was not seen in the tiny reflecting glass of the kodak!
A view was taken from the same side, but nearer, to show, by com-
parison with the human figure, the size of some of the stones. A blur
in the plate injured this view.
Yiew 2 shows the portion of the building facing due east. It is
covered with ivy.
Yiew 1 was taken from a distance. If this is covered partly by view 3,
a good idea is given of the round of the building.
Inside the building we scrambled up by the broken part, and
measured the diameter of the building by means of the line on my
fishing-rod. This part of the wall was beautifully laid with large
stones, following the round of the inside curve very accurately, and
below them was a second " course," projecting 9 or 10 inches, and
very evenly and nicely laid. We conjectured these were to enable
people to stand on them and pass up stones to the warriors above, to
hurl down on the foe outside.
Just below we could trace two small rooms. The largest 10 feet
6 inches by 12 feet, with walls 3 feet thick. The smaller (separated
from it by the remains of a wall, or a stone raised floor 6 feet thick)
is 10 feet 6 inches by 7 feet. The whole of the interior is a mass
of stones of the size of those used in the building of these rooms. No
mortar was seen about them.
One of our boatmen said that three years previously he had accom-
panied a gentleman who had moved some of the stones in an endeavour
to reach a shieldrake's nest, and had found a lot of bones.1 He said
they found a "long bone " which had been broken by the fall of a stone on
1 The bones sent by Mr. Layartl were examined by Dr. Frazer, f.k.c.s.i., 20,
TIarcourt- street, Dublin, and were pronounced by him to be those of cattle. —
J. F. M. FFKENCH.
JOUK. U.S. A. I., VOL. IX.. FT. I.. OTH SEll.
D
34
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
it ; he pointed out the spot, and being lame and unable to go to it myself,
over the rough floor, I sent him to see if he could find any remains. He
brought back the fractured " long bone " and a portion of a pelvis,
showing the socket of the hip-bone, which I herewith send for the inspec-
tion of an anatomist who would be able to say what they are.
At present the only living tenants of the ruin are numerous "bank
martins " (Hirundo riparia) which nest in the crevices between the stones
composing the outer wall. As we sat eating our lunch, the birds were
flying all round us. Suddenly a sparrow-hawk dashed in among them,
and seizing one proceeded to devour it within sixty yards of us ; we tried
a rescue, but the spoiler flew off with his prey.
I regret the imperfection of two of the views. Unfortunately, we
could not develop the negatives until our return home to Budleigh,
Salterton : consequently, the blemishes were not seen till too late to
replace the films by taking others.
( 35 )
ON " PATRICK'S CROSSES " — STONE, BRONZE AND GOLD.
By Dr. WILLIAM FRAZER, M.R.I. A., Fellow, Hon. F.S.A. (Scot.).
[Read June loth, 1898.]
Part I. — Stone and Bronze "Patrick's Crosses."
A bell shrine was purchased in 1887 for the Museum of the Royal
Irish Academy, known as the "Corp Naomh," with its leathern
"polaire." or portable case. Substituted for the original bell was a
block of hard wood ; and the shrine itself was damaged in parts, and had
additions made to it of later date, such as a bronze crucifix, a small silver
plate placed under one arm of the cross with opposed figures of a griffin
and lion ; also about five inches in length of silver bordering nailed on,
which need not be further described. I ascertained from the catalogue
of the Industrial Exhibition, held by the Royal Dublin Society in 1853,
that this shrine, numbered 1962, was shown there by Mr. George Smith
as "The Corp Naomh, or Holy Body, supposed to be the shrine of an
ancient bell, with the figure of our Saviour on it, formerly belonging to
the chapel of Templecross, Co. Meath." A reference was made to Yal-
lancey's " Collectanea," vol. vi., page 73, which enabled its history to be
further elucidated. It related to a " Chorographical Description of Co.
Westmeath,v written in 1682 by Sir Henry Piers, Bart., containing the
following extracts : —
" Tristernagh — west of here, not a quarter of a mile, is seated a small
and well-built chapel now in good repair." " We have from ancient
days a certain relique remaining even yet amongst us, kept by a certain
gentleman, a great zealot of the Roman Church, with no small veneration ;
they call it the ' Corp Nou' [in a note, ' properly Corp Naomh '], that is
in English, the Holy or Blessed Body. The thing itself is no more than
a small piece of wood shaped somewhat like a Bible of the smaller
volume, laced about with laces of brass, and on some parts studded over
on the one side with pieces of crystal, all set in silveiyand here and there
larded with silver, set or chased into the wood, and fastened with nails,
some brass and some silver. On the other side appears a crucifix of
brass, and whether it hath anything hidden within, is known, I believe,
to no man living, but it hath been, and is held to this day, in great
veneration."
Piers describes its employment for administering oaths and for
curing diseases, and relates a legend of its miraculous recovery when
lost, which it is needless to repeat. The shrine came into the possession
of the Piers' family about this time, and from their representatives
D 2
36
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
reached the Smiths, from whom it was purchased for the Museum. On
its purchase I was given a good water-colour drawing, and subsequently
had photographs taken.
The semi-circular upper part of the shrine is original and early work,
composed of hard yellow bronze; it measures four and three-quarter
inches wide at its base, and is two and a-half inches high ; the front and
back are decorated with figures deserving special notice. It is sur-
rounded on its free edge by a narrow border of bronze, about half an
inch wide, perforated by a running-knot pattern. The centre figure on
the front is an ecclesiastic whose head projects beyond the border, his
feet reaching to the lower edge, they are represented with sandals, and
the entire figure is two and three-quarter inches high. The face has
whiskers and a well-defined beard arranged in seven curls, which extend
slightly beneath the lower part of the interlaced border. The costume
of this ecclesiastic consists of an outer wrap or mantle bordered by wide
edgings, and the material represented seems as if its series of cross lines
was intended to hold either enamel colours or Niello. The mantle covers
an inner garment extending down to the ankles, having a broad band at
its lower margin. The pattern marked in incised lines on this portion of
the figure appears to represent some fabric similar to tartan. A square-
shaped book is held by both hands across the waist of this figure, such
as is borne by ecclesiastics represented on certain Scottish stone monu-
ments, which will be more fully referred to, likewise on some of the
figures in the pages of the Book of Kells, and also on the small bronze
plaque of early date, of a cleric, in the Museum of the Academy, that
would appear to have belonged to a shrine, as it has perforations for
rivets suitable for fastening it.
On either side of the central figure of the Corp Naomh is a horseman
facing inwards, mounted on a small horse. Similar in all particulars to
those represented on several Scottish monumental stones, such as those
at Kerriemuir, near Kirkcaldly, at Edderton, in Ross-shire, and at Meigle
(see for reference "The Sculptured Stones of Scotland," published by
the Spalding Club, and Private Plates by Bishop Browne, when Disney
Lecturer at Cambridge, 1890). These horsemen have long pointed
beards, and their peculiar head-dress, with long tails or appendages, may
aid in suggesting a probable date for them, being similar to one worn by
a horseman on a coin of Sweyn, King of Denmark, figured by Dr. L. B.
Stenerson. Unfortunately, there were two Sweyns, dating a.d. 914 and
a.d. 968 : hence it is uncertain to which of these the coin mentioned is
attributable. The caps or helmets appear composed of some felted
material, not made from plates of metal, and date much earlier than
the Danish kings, for similar headgear is sculptured on a number
of the Scottish stones at Aberlemno, Rossie, East Wemyss, and
Scoonie. For reliable representation of these I am indebted to Bishop
Browne.
ON " Patrick's crosses."
37
Above each horseman is represented a large bird with extended
wings ; these birds may symbolise the martyrdom of the central figure,
that of the cleric. See, bearing on this suggestion, a paper by Rev. B.
M'Carthy, d.d., Todd Professor, on "The Tripartite Chronicle of Marianus
Scotus," which states: — "hie erant Aves. Typus Martyrum." On the
shoulders of the central ecclesiastic's figure are placed two conspicuous
circular ornaments, having transverse markings forming the Early Eastern
Cross, with its equal -rayed limbs, which recall our once popular and uni-
versally worn " Patrick's Crosses." The custom of wearing these on the
Saint's anniversary, in pairs, one on each breast or shoulder, continued in
Dublin until a few years ago, and has not yet altogether disappeared from
country districts. They were usually made from paper with the aid of
Ornament on Upper Panel at end of the Shrine "Corp Naomh."
water-colour paints, ribbons, and sometimes shamrocks. I purchased
specimens in the city in 1897. Being distinctive emblems of Christian
teaching-, they might be expected to be the recognised badge of those who
possessed rank in the Celtic churches.
Thus, referring again to the stone monuments preserved in Scotland,
there is at Invergowrie, on the Eirth of Tay, situated within the bounds
of the kingdom that belonged to the Southern Picts, a slab, the upper
panel of which has carved on it the figures of three clerics, all of whom
are habited in garments corresponding to those worn on the figure now
described on the Corp Naomh bell shrine, that is, composed of outer coats
or mantles covering tunics descending to the ankles, and also each sup-
porting square books similarly held across the middle of their bodies, and
38
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
the central figure, in addition, sustains a bell which is suspended be-
neath the book. For a satisfactory illustration of this bell Bishop Browne's
plate must be referred to, for the drawings shown in the ''Sculptured
Stones of Scotland," vol. ii., plate 88, are less accurate, and omit the bell
altogether.
On this slab, both the lateral figures are decorated with pairs of
these St. Patrick's crosses, identical in all
respects with that on our bell shrine, affixed
to each shoulder. These make it obvious that
such Christian emblems were employed in
pairs, and the importance of this conclu-
sion will appear hereafter when considering
similar gold objects, the description of whicli
is the special purport of my communication.
If we inquire after early representations
more strictly of Irish origin, there is the
bronze figure of a cleric once ornamented
Sculptured Stone at Meigle. Figure from St. Manchan's Shrine.
with gold on its surface in the Academy Museum, measuring 7£ inches
high, holding a short baculus with both hands, and on the shoulders are
distinctive disks with central crosses. A drawing of this figure is found
in our Journal, 4th series, vol. iii, p. 7, which give details of costume
and ornaments, &c. It would appear to be one of the missing figures
once belonging to the Irish shrine of St. Manchan.
When examining drawings of some of the tombs preserved in the
island of Iona, that of the abbot Mackinnon attracted my notice ; this
successor of a long line of Culdee and Celtic clerics died a. d. 1500;
on " Patrick's crosses."
39
his tomb, similar to too many others at Iona, has sustained serious
damages, for an evil disposed person was detected, having broken off the
face of the abbot, endeavouring to steal it. On the shoulders of this
figure appear to be carved the remains of two of these " St. Patrick's
Crosses." Should subsequent investigation confirm my conjecture we
will obtain a valuable link in the history of these objects, and bring
down the period of their employment for ecclesiastical dress ornament
to a comparative late date.
Part II. — Gold " Patrick's Crosses" — a further Contribution to
the History of Gold Ornaments found in Ireland.
"We are now in a position to inquire whether our Museums in their
stores of Irish antiquities preserve for us any decorative ornaments that
would correspond with those sculptured disks in stone and bronze,
bearing the Christian symbol of a central Greek or eastern cross, if so
it should enable us to throw further light upon their history. For
example, if found complete they ought to occur in pairs, for so were
they worn on each shoulder according to the numerous ecclesiastical
Circular Plate of Gold in K.I.A. Collection, Science and Art Museum.
representations already enumerated. I restrict the present inquiry to
Celtic Ireland, for the Continent has yielded a considerable number of
" Maltese " or " Greek" crosses with equal-sized arms, made from thin
laminae of gold, similar in this respect to ours, and likewise having each
two perforations for attaching them to the dress of the wearer, a marked
feature in the Celtic gold crosses, as I hope to show, but differing in not
having around the cross the circular golden disk. These are obtained
from Gaulish and Germanic cemeteries, and from graves in Lombardy,
so that in one sense they are not distinctively Irish and Celtic, but
40 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
appear to show a much wider Continental distribution, the limits of
which it would be very instructive to investigate. A long list of these
Continental gold crosses is contained in the Gazette Archeologique,
vol. 13, and examples are preserved in the museums of Augsburg and
Nuremberg.
Forming a well-marked section of the gold antiquities of the Royal
Irish Academy Museum are a series of eleven thin circular disks of gold,
all of which have modifications or variations of Greek crosses in their
centre, surrounded by borders, either plain or decorated by linear-
punched elevations of rather rude execution, still connected in style of
ornamentation with our other gold objects ; they range in transverse
Circular Plate of Gold in E..1.A. Collection, Science and Art Museum.
measurement from about 2 inches to nearly 4^ inches across. In the
largest pair of these objects the ornamentation is peculiar to it, consist-
ing of six borders of dots placed at regular intervals from each other,
and two lines disposed in zigzag patterns, the rays of the cross being
marked by lines of raised dots. All the disks have, near their centres,
two small perforations which would permit of their being sewn to any
garment.
Of these eleven disks eight were discovered by their finders concealed
in pairs. One is imperfect, and the history of the remainder tells only of
their being acquired for the Museum of the Academy. If we go beyond
ON " PATRICIAS CROSSES."
41
the limits of Ireland, there is, in the Stourliead Collection, one of these
objects, of which a pair were found associated with an imburned inter-
ment in Wiltshire. See a description by Dr. Thurnliam in " Archseo-
logia," vol. 43, p. 527. There is also said to be a pair preserved in the
Ashmolean Museum. So that all the evidence yet obtained appears
conclusive as to these occurring in pairs similar to each other wherever
they are found.
The subjoined list records in tabular form the transverse measure-
ments of all gold disks in our Museum, their respective weights given in
pennyweights and grains, and brief accounts of their history so far as
can be ascertained : —
Consecu-
tive
Number.
Diameter
of
Disk.
Weight.
Reference in
Museum Catalogues.
History.
H
3
5 19
4 10
Old Registry, 267. f
271. |
Ballina, Co. Mayo ; obtained
by Rev. Dr. Todd. Figured
in Wilde's "Catalogue."
IT 3
P*S A
< I
3|
H
13 20
13 2
266. |
„ 272. |
Found in Co. Wexford in 1838,
and were in Collection of R.
Anthony, Piltown, in 1845.
■if «
6
14 15
14 12
Register, iff*. j
1112 S
)> 3i • 1
I
Found at Tidavnet, parish of
Teach Damned, Co. Mona-
ghan. Purchased, in 1872,
from A. R. Nugent.
7
2ft
4 13
Old Registry, 270. j
From Dean Dawson's Collec-
tion.
8
2fby2§
4 12
Register,
r 9
i\
2-rV
4 17
Petrie Collection, j
1
Co. Roscommon. Found with
another (see Paper in Dublin
Penny Journal, vol. i., page
244.
< i
4 4
Old Registry, 268. j
Co. Roscommon. From Major
Sin's Collection.
11
1 '
! if
2 4
„ 269.
In Wilde's "Catalogue";
marked imperfect.
A pair obtained at Ballyshannon, now in Ashmolean Museum. (See Camden's
"Britannia," 1722; also figured in Ware's "Antiquities.")
A pair found in a barrow near Mere, "Wiltshire, with an unburned body. (See
R. Thurnham, m.d., " Archaeologia," vol. 43, p. 527.) One is preserved in
- the Stourhead Collection.
42
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
There seems every reason for believing those gold disks, with their
distinctive Greek Crosses, found in pairs in Ireland, and; figured on our
shrines and stone monuments, were intended to denote the Christian faith
of the wearer, and as such worn by Celtic clerics here and in Scotland.
They are not restricted to one small district from which a precarious
supply of alluvial gold might be supposed to come ; and, whilst I have
failed to ascertain their specific gravity, I have no doubt of their
weights, which enable me to range them in the same general group
with the other gold ornaments previously described by me in detail ;
furthermore, we now know that somewhat similar objects of gold are
discovered from time to time in Germany, Gaul, andLombardy, countries
where the only source from which they could be made was by employing
the universal circulating medium of standardized Roman aurei. I have
already given my grounds for stating that our lunulaa and rings of every
kind were made from Roman coin reworked, and these gold disks are
no exception, whilst they are obviously referable to dates subsequent
to the Christian era, therefore to the same period which other con-
siderations induced me to date the making of all our Irish gold articles
save torques, which I have not examined, and purposely exclude from
my present investigations. I will repeat what I have said before that
this gold came from Britain subsequent to the reign of Diocletian, and
was obtained by Celtic invaders, who, for two or three centuries, overran
that Roman Colony and obtained from it, not only gold, but great num-
bers of captive slaves. Parenthetically, I may further assert that the
rapid spread of Christianity under St. Patrick — himself a slave captured
in Britain — was due essentially to those captives, out of whom became
organized the Celtic churches in every locality, and which led to the
conversion of their masters, and to the tolerance of the new religion by
them.
The style of ornamentation, though perhaps ruder and somewhat
debased, is correlated in its designs, and particularly in its mode of
execution, with that of our other gold ornaments.
The following tabulated lists give the exact weights of each gold
disk in grains, and if such numbers are divided by the fixed weight
of gold coin from the end of Diocletian's reign to the termination of the
Eastern empire, that is 70 grains of coined metal, we ought to ascertain
how many aurei were required to make them ; but, for a time antecedent
to this period of reduced gold currency, aurei were in circulation of a
heavier standard, namely, ,72 grains each : it may be expected that some
of the disks would fall under the heavier scale. As they are found in
pairs they were made in pairs, and by adding these weights together
the result works out correct. Each disk may vary somewhat from its
fellow, which would show that the workman did not divide the metal
into parts with strict accuracy when melting it.
43
AuREI REQUIRED FOR MAKING GOLD DlSKS.
Consecu-
tive
Number.
Weight
reduced to
Grains.
Results calculated in Roman Aurei.
1
2
4 f 139
106
245 grains, weighing 3| aurei exact.
3
4
■3 J 332
f=0 314
>
646, equal to 9 heavier aurei of 72 grains each,
less 2 grains.
5
6
41 3ol
*t 348
>
699 grains, equal to 10 aurei less 1 grain.
7
109
f
1
To make a pair would reqtiire 3 heavy aurei plus
1 grain.
8
108
To make a pair would require 3 aurei exact.
9
10
4 f H3
& 1 100
1
>
213 grains, weighing 3 aurei plus 3 grains.
44
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
THE TERMOR OF BURROW.
By the REV. STERLING DE COURCY WILLIAMS, M.A.
[Read March 29, 1898.]
Section I.
" 1F you really intend to go deeply into the question of Celtic Anti-
quities " (said Professor Max Muller), " it is to Ireland you must
go " ; and I think I may be justified in saying that even in Ireland we
could hardly find a more favourable field for study than the county in
which I now reside, since, amongst many others, it presents such fields
for inquiry as Clonmacnoise, Rahin, Tihilly, and Burrow.
On a previous occasion I read a Paper on " The Old Churchyards of
Durrow Parish," and I then brought before you some of the interesting
remains which have so far withstood, to some extent, the ravages
wrought by the hand of time, aided and abetted by the trying nature
of our climate and the destructive habits of our race.
I have now to show you illustrations of a different kind, which will
direct your notice to objects of interest connected with my parish which
could hardly be said to come under the title of my former paper ; and I
give, as addenda, some extracts from ancient documents and notices of the
annalists in which I find reference made to this ancient and historic
spot.
This will, I think, help to group together the important records of
the parish, and show that Durrow continued1 to be an important centre
of learning for many years, and that though the light kindled then by
St. Columba may have waxed dim or even flickered for a time, that
still the lamp of truth which he kindled has never been altogether
quenched, even though it may never have shone so brightly as in its first
and most palmy days.
Any account of monastic life in Durrow which did not take notice of
its celebrated MSS. would be very incomplete indeed. Concerning one
of them I cannot, I think, do better than quote the words of the late
Professor Stokes, whose loss I am sure we all feel. Writing about the
1 Cf. Reeves's " Antiquities of Irish Churches," in which he speaks of Durrow as
amongst " the earliest and most important, but not most enduring, of St. Columba's
foundations." I suppose he alludes to Durrow afterwards being changed to an
Augustinian monastery.
Page of Interlaced Ornament krom the Book of Durrow,
Jn Trinity College, Dublin.
THE TERMON OF DURROW.
45
celebrated epistle of Cummian,1 written to the Abbot of I Columkille in
the year 634, he says: — " I call it a marvellous composition because of the
yastness of its learning. It quotes, besides the Scriptures and Latin
authors, Greek writers like Origen, Cyril, and Pachonius, the head and
reformer of Egyptian monasticism, and Damascius, the last of the cele-
brated neo-Platonic philosophers of Athens, who lived about the year
600, and who wrote all his works in Greek. Cummian discusses the
calendar of the Macedonians, Hebrews, and Copts, giving us the Hebrew,
Greek, and Egyptian names of months and cycles, and tells us that he had
been sent as one of a deputation of learned men a few years before to
ascertain the practice of the Church of Rome with regard to Easter."
" This long letter " (said Professor Stokes) "proves to demonstration that
in the first half of the seventh century there was a wide range of Greek
learning, not ecclesiastical merely, but chronological, astronomical, and
philosophical, away at Durrow in the very centre of the Bog of Allen. "
It will be in the recollection of all who are interested in the subject that
Cummian's epistle engages in controversy on the great Pascal question
as to the time when Easter should be celebrated. St. Cummian ad-
vocated the Roman method, while Segenius and the monks of Hy held to
the opposite, as observed by St. Columba. St. Fintan of Taghmon (the
founder of Tihilly, now in the parish of Durrow) also held to the Irish
method of observing Easter. Perhaps, however, it is only right to men-
tion that all writers do not seem as certain respecting Cummian's identity
with Durrow as was Professor Stokes. Reeves, in his " Adamnan"
(Lib. i., p. 27), tells us that Cummian, in 636, appeared at a Synod at
Campus Lene (or Magh Lena), near the modern Tullamore, when he
pleaded for uniformity of practice. Colgan's " Acta SS.," p. 411, says,
" Cummian is said to have been Abbot of Durrow." Lanigan thinks the
notice of him does not refer to the great monastery of Durrow, but to
Disert Chuimin. However, in vol. ii. page 393, he says that "He seems
to have been a Columbian monk, and was probably educated in the
Columbian monastery of Durrow, which was subject to the superinten-
dence of the Abbot of Hy. At the time of the proceedings now related
he had apparently an establishment of his own, which was in all likelihood
that of Disert Chuimin, so called from his name, now Kilonin or Kilcum-
min in the King's County, near Roscrea." A work which is in the monas-
tery of St. Gall in Switzerland, called " De poenitentiarum mensura,"
was also, Lanigan thinks, written by him.
I have also obtained a copy of a photograph of a MS. which
1 There were evidently about this time a number of celebrated men of this name.
Miss Margaret Stokes tells us of a Cummian who came from Ireland to end his days
at iSobbio ; he flourished circa 630-670. She also tells how his tomb is covered with
interlacing bearing a strong resemblance to that which we find on the High Crosses
of Ireland in the tenth century {cf. "Six Months in the Appennines," and also her
account there of the sarcophagus of CummianJ. There is also a Cummiau who was
Abbot of Clonmacnoise. Colgan, too, mentions a number of people of that name.
46
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
is in the Bodleian Library, of which I shall speak more presently.
But the best known of our MSS. is, of course, the Book of Durrow,
which is in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin. And, as I look at
those illustrations, I think with pride of the literary work which used to
be done in my parish in olden times, though it be mingled with regret
that we cannot now attempt to emulate the skill and artistic taste of the
scribe who wrote it. Perhaps it may interest you to hear that I am
sometimes asked by persons whether I have obtained any of the informa-
tion I have been able to get about Durrow from this celebrated book. It
may not therefore be amiss to say, as briefly as I am able, something
of what is known about "The Book of Durrow." To begin with —
Its antiquity is proved beyond doubt both by the character of the book
itself and also from the fact that it is recorded that the first book-shrine
or comdach we read of, the date of which can be fixed with any historical
certainty, was made for this book by the King of Ireland, Flann Sinna,
son of Malachy, who reigned between the years 877 and 916. This book-
shrine is indeed now lost, but it was seen by Roderick 0' Flaherty in 1677,
who wrote the following on the flyleaf of the Gospel it was made to en-
shrine (" Inscriptio Hibernicis Uteris incisa cruci argenteaein operimento
hujus Libri in transversa crucis parte nomen artificis indicat ; et in lon-
gitudine tribus lineis a sinestra et totidem dextra et sequitur ' y^i oroit acus
bendacht Choluimb Chille do Flaund Mac Mailsechnaill do Righerewn
la sa ndernadacumdach so ' " (i.e., An inscription in Irish letters cut on a
silver cross in the corner of the book or the transverse part of the cross
indicates the name of the maker, and on the length three lines from the
left, and the like number on the right, as follows : — u Columkille's prayer
and blessing for Flann, son of Mail Sechnaill for the King of Ireland by
whom the case was made"). This Flann, son of Malachi, was King of
Ireland, a.d. 879-916. The Most Bev. Dr. Healy, writing of this
work, describes it as follows : —
"The 'Book of Durrow' is a highly ornate copy of the Four Gospels,
according to Jerome's version ; it is written across the page in single columns.
The MS. also contains the Epistle of St. Jerome to Pope Damasus, an explana-
tion of certain Hebrew names, with the Eusebeian Canons and synoptical
Gospels."
This description may fitly be supplemented by a quotation from the
" National MSS. of Ireland,"'by John Gilbert, f.s.a.
"'The Book of Durrow is," he says, "an ornamental copy of the Four
Gospels in the Vulgate version, written across the page mainly in single columns,
and preceded by the Epistle of St. Jerome to Pope Damasus, an explanation of
Hebrew names, Eusebeian Canons, and synoptical tables. It contains symbolical
representations of the Evangelists, and pages of colo tired, spiral, interlaced, and
tesselated ornamentation. The general number of lines on a page is 25 or 26.
Among the capitals, Greek letters are occasionally introduced, and the peculiar
red dotted and lineation occur abundantly throughout the book."
Miss Margaret Stokes, commenting on the fact that it was associated
IH^0^? pn opmx, > -fJEpe - tdicoq ecu
' e^Xuttm quipnac/;
*tdo pcmooce qutmbni roc
Tus pacKBS'efti raise?
pi Il/i oh&wiisirf&esen cr>
--•5 tflra Smum p a en Ya
IwnCrntstOTiem peaxru>n u
iAOgjurii efcaum adiuwn oirwes n'e^d
Uideae tti^iocxhrenuso^fniaxo on;
The First Page of fcJx. Mark's Gospel, from the Book of Durrow,
In Trinity College, Dublin.
Jour. R.S.A.I., vol. k„ «t. i.
THE TERMON OF DURROW.
47
with the name of St. Columba, and venerated accordingly as early as the
ninth century, yet points out that the fact that it is according to St.
Jerome's version would indicate that it was not so old as the sixth century,
as at that period a different version was in use. Accordingly, we find that
the date ascribed to it in Trinity College Library is the seventh century.
Miss Stokes also points out a curious fact connected with the book, i.e.
that, in the miniature, at the end of the book, of an ecclesiastic, the Irish
tonsure and not the Roman is used. On what was originally the last folio
of the book (now folio 15, by error of binding), we find the usual request
of the Irish scribe : —
" Rogo beatitudinem tuara see praesbiter Patrici ut quicunque hunc libellum
manu tenuerit meminerit Columbae scriptoris qui boc scripsi [ — ] met evange-
lium per xii dierum spatium gra dni nri."
" I pray tby blessedness, 0 holy Presbyter, Patrick, tbat whoever shall take
this book into his bands may remember the writer Columba, wbo have myself
written this Gospel in the space of twelve days, by the grace of our Lord."1
I am indebted further to Miss Margaret Stokes for this remark, that
while u the Book of Durrow has fewer varieties of design in it than the
Eook of Kells, yet that those it does possess belong to the most charac-
teristic and archaic style of Christian art." The MS. was preserved at
Durrow until the year 1623, when it was taken possession of by Henry
Jones, who had been scout-master to Cromwell's army in Ireland, then
Yice-Chancellor of Trinity College, Dublin, and afterwards Bishop of
Meath. O'Flaherty saw the Book in 1677.2 " I have seen," he says,
u handwritings of St. Columba in Irish characters, as straight and as
fair as any priest, of about 1000 years standing, and Irish letters
engraven in the time of Flann, King of Ireland, deceased in a.d. 916."
I cannot refrain from repeating again the reference to this Book which
is in the "Annals of Clonmacnoise." The writer tells us that
St. Columba wrote 300 books with his own hand, and that they were all
New Testaments, and also that he left a book to each of his churches in
the kingdom —
" which Bookes have a strange property, which is tbat if they, or any of them, had
sunck to the bottom of the Deepest waters, they would not lose one letter, signe, or
character of them, wch I have seen partly by myselfe of that book of them which is
at Dorow, in the Ks County, for I saw the Ignorant man, wbo bad the same in his
Custody, when sickness came on cattle, for their Remedy putt water on the booke,
and Suffered it to rest there for awhile ; and saw also cattle retuine thereby to their
former or pristin state, and the book to receave no loss."
This is a very old tradition, and it seems to owe its origin to an incident
recorded in Adamnan's "Life of St. Columba." In Book ir. two
chapters are devoted to this subject. In chapter viii., he tells us of a
1 Lower down is the following : — " Ora pro me f rater mi dns tecum sit."
2 Beneath the inscription in the Book quoted above there is an entry — "Hahc
Inscriptionem interpretatus est Ro. Flaherty, 19 Jan. 1677."
48
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
youth who fell into the River Boyne, and was drowned, his hody not
being recovered for twenty days, when a leaf of a book, written by
St. Columba, was found in his pocket, dry and uninjured, amongst a
number of others, which were not only corrupted but putrified ; and
then he proceeds in chapter ix. to give us the following narrative.1
" At another time a Look of hymns for the week, written by S. Columba' s
own hand, together with the leather satchels in which it was contained, fell from
the shoulders of a certain boy, who slipped off a bridge and was drowned in a
certain river in the province of Leinster, which little book remaining in the
water, from the Nativity of our Lord until the end of Easter Week, and after-
wards found on the bank of the river by some women who were walking there,
is carried in the same satchel, which was not only wet but putrified, to one
Jogenan, a Presbyter, and a Pict by nation, to whom it had previously belonged,
and when the same Jogenan opened the satchel, he found his little book in cor-
rupted, and as clean and dry as if it had remained all that time in a case, and had
never fallen into water. But we have learned without doubt, from men of
experience, that other like things occurred with respect to books written by
the hand of S. Columba, which books, be it known, being immersed in water,
could in no way be corrupted."
I have to express my gratitude to the lie v. Dr. Abbott, who has
kindly allowed me to examine this most interesting MS. connected with
the history of Durrow, and which was preserved there for so many
centuries ; but I would add that he did not give me permission, nor,
indeed, did I seek for it, to experiment with it in this way, or bring
back the water cure for the diseased cattle of my parish. However,
my inspection of the book satisfied my mind as to the veracity of the
account given in the " Annals of Clonmacnoise," as I had ocular proof,
from numerous water stains, that water evidently had been poured on the
book in the way the writer describes. Another fact regarding the book
which I thought of interest is the precatory entry in Irish made in it by
Connell M'Geoghegan, the translator of the 11 Annals of Clonmacnoise,"
in May, 1633, and who probably made the entry at the time
the book was in "the ignorant man's" possession, to whom Connell
M'Geoghegan refers as quoted above. The date, too (1633), has
an interest for me. For the date of Connell M'Geoghegan' s visit
to Durrow is the same (as its hall-mark indicates) as that of
the presentation of the silver chalice, which is still used in
Durrow Church. I think, therefore, I may be justified in supposing
that this silver chalice was presented at this time to Durrow Church,
by the translator of the " Annals of Clonmacnoise," when he visited
Durrow, wrote his name in its celebrated book, and had ocular
proof of the historic water-cure. The M'Geoghegans were at this time
people whom one would expect to make a gift of the kind, for in the
" Martyrology of Donegal," completed about 1620, we find a memorandum
1 I have, for the most part, followed the translation of Henry Frowde here, and in
other places where I quote from Adamnan's " Life ot St. Columba."
THE TERMON OF DURROW.
49
which not only shows that the Book of Colunicille, called the Book of
Burrow, was at Durrow, but adds that Durrow was then in the district
of the M'Geoghegans. The name then continued in the district for
some time, and a Connell M'Geoghegan attended vestry meetings in
Durrow parish, as his signature witnesses, in 1713, 1714, 1719, 1721,
and 1722.
Then with regard to the illumination of the book itself. One feature
which especially interested me and attracted my attention was how
largely the zoomorphic element entered into the designs. My mind at
once reverted to the strange interlaced dragons on Tihilly Cross which
have been so well illustrated for me in a former paper by Mr. Westropp.
One cannot help wondering what brought such strange and hideous
monsters into a beautifully written sacred document. In each case
there is a striking contrast between the beautiful geometrical inter-
lacing, fret patterns and spirals which we find there, upon which the eye
always rests with delight, and these strange uncouth monsters. It is
the same, I think, as the feeling one has in some grand cathedral when
you turn from examining the tracery of its windows or the symmetry of
its arches and doors, and your eye rests on some hideous gargoyle. And
yet there is undoubtedly an interest and strange fascination in them. As
I write, some of the uncouth monsters outside the beautiful churches
of Normandy appear before me, and I contrast the Angel Choir in Lincoln
Cathedral with "The Devil overlooking Lincoln" and its well-known
cross-legged imp. But to return to the Book of Durrow. Another
curious illustration is the calf or bull, at the commencement of St. Luke,
with a spiral on its leg or hip. I drew a comparison in my mind at
once with the High Cross, and thought of the same kind of decoration on
the angel's wing. I daresay other parallels will occur to' the reader's
mind of this archaic design. I have seen the same kind of spirals in the
British Museum on gold ornaments found at Enkoni, near Salamis, in
Cyprus, and which go back to the Mycenaean Period. There is also an
Irish MS. there, written by Maelbrigte Hua Maeludnaig at Armagh,
a.d. 1138, in which there is a figure which bears a striking resemblance
to the one in the Book of Durrow. It has been noticed by more than
one writer that there is not the slightest trace of a floral or foliaceous
design in this MS., and Mr. Brun, in his description of the book, seems
to make a strong point of this ; and also I note that Miss Margaret
Stokes (whose opinion is of value) says that there is no sign of any
floral forms being used. Nevertheless, it seems to me that one
cannot look at the ornamented page used as a frontispiece to the
Epistle of St. Jerome, without seeing that leaves are used for decora-
tive purposes amongst the trumpet and interlaced patterns which we
find there, even though they do not take a prominent place in the
design.
JOUlt. R.S.A.I., VOL. IX., PT. I., 5TH SER.
E
50
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Section II.
From the Book of Durrow I pass to another interesting relic of Dur-
row's past celebrity. It, too, has been removed from our care and taken
for safe keeping to the Royal Irish Academy's Museum. I refer to the
Durrow Crozier. Miss Margaret Stokes, in her " Early Christian Archi-
tecture in Ireland," reminds us that the crozier originally had its origin
in " the oaken staff of the itinerant bishop, which is still visible through
the chinks and openings in which it was afterwards enshrined (chap. iii.
"Stone Churches with Cement"). The best example of this which I have
come across is the Crozier of Durrow, which exemplifies to perfection
what Miss Margaret Stokes here describes, and this is made the more in-
teresting since O'Donnell, in his " Life of St. Columba," informs us that
when Scanlann, after the Synod of Drumceatt was liberated, St. Columba
gave him his staff to serve as his safe conduct, directing him to proceed to
Dermagh and deliver it to Laisranus. "Whether it is too great a demand
to make from you to ask you to suppose that this is the same staff which
we now have in the Museum I must leave yourselves to decide, but no
one can see the Crozier of Durrow without at least being convinced that
it bears signs of very great antiquity. Indeed, in the Museum we see a
notice which tells us that its date is the sixth century. We are also in-
formed that the head is wanting, that the casing and knobs are of bronze,
with jewel settings, and that the upper knob is inlaid with gold. It
seems, however, a matter for regret that when old relics of this kind
were handed over to a Museum the traditions respecting them were not
preserved. Some traditional history must have been connected with
this crozier, which we would expect to have been handed down in
the McGeoghegan family who were its custodians.
An interesting notice in the " Annals of the Four Masters" tells us
that Farrell Eoe Oge, the son of Farrell Roe,1 son of Donough, son of
Murtagh More McGeoghegan, a captain of great repute and celebrity,
was killed and beheaded at Cruagh-abhal (now Croughool, in the parish
of Churchtown) by the son of the Baron of Delvin and the grandson of
Pierce Dalton. They carried his head to Trim, and from thence to
Dublin for exhibition, but it was afterwards brought back and buried
along with his body in Durrow Choluni Chille.
Dean Butler, in his book on Trim, mentions that there seems to have
been some old ecclesiastical connexion at one time between Durrow and
Trim, as a monastic seal of the fourteenth century was found near
Mullingar bearing on the obverse side the inscription, " Sigill. M.
Abbatis S. Marie de Truim," and on the reverse, " Si. M. Abb. S. Marie
deDurmag.," which, he adds, is figured in the Dublin Penny Journal.
1 In 1454, Farrell Roe Mageoghegan resigned his lordship, and retired into the
monastery of Durrow Columkille, having lost his sight.
A Portion of the Crozier of Durrow.
Jour. R.S.A.I., vol. ix , pt. i, p. 50.
THE TERM ON OF DURROW.
51
The seal itself was in the possession of Mr. li. Murray, of Mullingar, in
1858. It is ascribed by Petrie to the thirteenth century, and is now, I
believe, in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy.
Section- III.
Sir Henry Piers, in his " History of Westrneath," gives at length a
full description of what a termon land was : — " In time past," he says,
"it was provided that whoever founded a church should endow the
same with certain possessions for the maintenance of those who were to
attend God's service therein, insomuch that a bishop might not consecrate
any church before an instrument of such a donation was provided by the
founder: . . . Hence it came to pass that every church had allotted
to it a certain proportion of land (with servants appertaining thereunto)
;free from all temporal impositions and exactions." ..." Neither is it to
be doubted," he says, " but that those who founded churches upon their
lands, being willing to assign an endow-
ment unto them in places most convenient
would, for this purpose, especially make
choice of the lands next adjoining to the
house they had builded, as Bede ("Hist.
Eccles.," lib. 3, chap. 17) particularly re-
■cordeth, in his history of Bishop Aiden,
that he had no proper possession, " excepta
ecclesiasua et adjacentibus agellis." Now
erenach and termon lands being free from
all charges of temporal lords as also eccle-
siastical possessions, were by the fourth
constitution of the council held at Cashel,
anno 1172, the bishops being the chief
lords of them, and the churches being
commonly built upon them, the reparation
of a great part whereof being continually
upon the erenach that belonged to them,
there is no question to be made but they were of this nature, and for-
asmuch as unto these lands certain freedoms were annexed — i.e. the
privilege of sanctuary — the land from thence was called termon or
free and protected land, for the word Tearmann is used in the Irish
tongue for a sanctuary (whence Termon-feckin, a town belonging to the
Archbishop of Armagh hath his denomination as it were the sanctuary
of Feckin, and may well be thought to have been borrowed by the Irish
(as many other words are) from the Latin terminus by reason that such
privileged places were commonly bounded by special marks and bounds."
Seal of the Monastery of Durrow.
Photographed from an impres-
sion in wax.
{To be continued.)
E 2
( 52 )
THE CRYPTIC ELEMENT ALLEGED TO EXIST IN OGHAM
INSCRIPTIONS.
Bvr E. A. STEWART MACALISTER, M. A.
[Submitted March 28, 1899.]
TV/T Y pui'Pose in writing the work on " Irish Epigraphy" was not to-
present a history of the various steps in decipherment, and for that
reason I dismissed with a word a theory to which some Ogliamists assert
their adherence. The author of a treatise on Practical Chemistry does
not consider himself hound to devote a chapter to the mysteries of
Alchemy, and I considered the cryptical theory as occupying the same
position with respect to modern scientific methods of decipherment as
does Alchemy with regard to the processes of a present-day laboratory.
Perhaps by the application of the cryptical theory important side-lights
have been thrown on archaeological difficulties, just as alchemical re-
searches have indirectly led to important accessions of knowledge ; but
neither the one or the other have produced direct results which can
stand the test of scientific criticism.
The theory to be criticised, as I understand it, may thus be stated r
" Certain inscriptions contain unintelligible combinatious of sound ;
these are therefore intentionally obscured in meaning, and their sense-
must be sought by methods of decipherment other than those ordinarily
employed. It is legitimate also to employ other methods of decipher-
ment, even in the case of inscriptions which prima facie appear straight-
forward, if historical identifications can thereby be substantiated."
These statements have been deduced from papers in which the-
cryptical method in dealing with individual inscriptions has been followed..
Let us examine how far they are justifiable.
I. "Certain inscriptions contain unintelligible combinations of sound.""
This was more true twenty years ago than it is now, for very few tran-
scripts current at that time were reliable. And even of those inscriptions
which remain unintelligible, how many owe their obscurity to fracture or
abrasion, or faultiness in spacing the letters, or in placing them relatively
to the stem-line ? When inscriptions, which from these causes remain
undeciphered, are omitted from the category the number remaining
t,o which by hypothesis "cryptical" methods may be applied is very
small indeed.
II. " These are therefore intentionally obscured and must be treated
as such." The flaw in this statement lies in the therefore. For there is-
a suppressed premiss always glossed over by the " cryptologist," namely,.
THE CRYPTIC ELEMENT IN OGHAM INSCRIPTIONS. 53
that we have full knowledge of Irish during the Ogham period, and know
that the forms current during that period were not the forms employed
on these inscriptions. It is obvious that this must be admitted before
we can logically come to the conclusion involved in the cryptical hypo-
thesis ; yet it has only to be stated to render its absurdity self-evident.
Our best scholars are every now and then compelled to own themselves
beaten by obscurities in Middle Irish ; this is even more the case with
the glosses that remain to us of Old Irish, and a fortiori must be true of
proto-Irish, as we may for the moment call the language of the Ogham
inscriptions.
A favourite argument with the cryptologists used to be the difference
between the apparent case-inflections of the Oghams and those to which
we were accustomed in manuscript Irish. But this has now become a
very striking argument against the theory. Far from -os and -as genitives
being merely Grecised and Latinised names, it has been demonstrated
that such must have existed in the language before the period of our
oldest MSS., and therefore that they occupy a normal and natural place
in linguistic development.
And as new inscriptions are discovered we find that the forms they
present accord inevitably with canons deduced from monuments already
known. Not only so, but inscriptions which the pioneers of Ogham
study pronounced hopelessly defaced, have been made to yield their
secrets by a judicious application of the same canons to the fragments
that may happen to be left. Obviously no stronger disproof of any
hypothesis of arbitrariness on the part of the engraver of the legends
could be adduced. We do not find in Oghams such interesting state-
ments nowadays as " Lugud died in the sea on a day he was fishing " —
which some forty years ago was read into the Ardmore inscription, and is
still served up in all the guidebooks for the benefit of the unsophisticated
— but we know that if maqi be preceded by a name in -ias we must look
for another maqi before that again ; and a great many other useful facts
of the same sort.
III. But it is claimed that inscriptions other than those which are
obscure may be treated cryptologically : and many papers have been
produced based on this tacit assumption. As it stands the Agha-
bulloge inscription seems straightforward, save for the influence the
weather has had on it ; yet by a most brilliant process of reasoning an
endeavour has been made to show that the letters Corrpmac upon it mean
Olan. It is impossible to disprove such theories by criticism ; but not
the least cogent argument against them is the chaotic state into which
it immediately throws Irish epigraphy. For we have no criterion as to
whether any given inscription is or is not cryptographic, and have no
guarantee that some missing link does not lie hidden to prove that, say,
Dalagni maqi Dali does not mean Finn mac Cumhaill !
Reference may be made to two individual cases of alleged cryptography,
54
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
not because they are exceptional in any way, but because special stress
has recently been laid upon them. One of these is the inversion of the
letter on the Camp stone. But it remains to be shown that this is not
the result of mere illiteracy on the part of the engraver. Professor Rhys
accounts for his downward reading of Kinard East II by supposing the
engraver to have copied in ignorance scores marked for him on a stick.
That the inscriptions were at least sometimes engraved by scribes, and
not by the deceased's relatives, is shown by the existence of the memo-
randum of the name Dalagni scratched on the same arris with the main
inscription on the Monataggart stone No. II. Some such hypothesis is-
at least as admissible in the case of the Camp stone as is the idea
of conscious obscuration. What would be the object of such an
obscuration? We are told that the deceased may have had some
personal stain of birth or morals; but such an assumption is wholly
gratuitous. In such a case the deceased's representatives would most
likely abstain from setting up a monument at all rather than take the
trouble of putting up a memorial which no one could read.
The second is the difficult Maumenorig inscription. The argument
involved in the cryptical treatment of this legend may thus be stated : —
The inscription displays the sequence of letters cololol.
It is known that three saints named " Colman" "dwelt on the bosom
of the Maum"; and the townland adjacent to Maumenorig is CM na
g Colman, the " cell of the Colmans."
Therefore the "bosom of the Maum" is Maumenorig, and this is the
monument of the three Colmans in question.
Therefore cololol means "the three Colmans."
I quote from memory, for here in Syria, where I am writing, I am
away from most of my books. But I think this is a fair statement of the
argument.
I readily admit the strongest portion of this argument — the extra-
ordinary coincidence between the various names — "bosom of the Maum,"
" Maumenorig," " three Colmans," " Cell of the Colmans." But I can-
not agree that cololol is to be interpreted as " the three Colmans."
I assume that the sequence of letters in question does occur on the'
stone, though I do not believe this to be the case. My own reading is
quite different. It has been called into question, and I do not propose
at present to refer to it, though I can claim that it was made with due
care ; for I visited Maumenorig in the company of a friend well versed
in the Ogham script, with whom I discussed each score one by one ; and
for several months I had a good paper-squeeze of the inscription suspended
on the walls of my study, so as to be constantly available for exami-
nation.
Against the interpretation of Cololol as "the three Colmans," I
argue :
I. It is unnatural. Would it occur to any person speaking art
THE CRYPTIC ELEMENT IN OGHAM INSCRIPTIONS.
55
Aryan language to express triplicity by suppressing the final half of a
dissyllable and triplicating part of the first? Colcolcohnan might have
been admitted ; but Cololol is quite too freakish !
II. It is unnecessary. Nothing is known against "the three
Colmans" to explain why their commemorator should have so darkly
veiled their identity.
III. It is possible to interpret the sequence of letters otherwise. If
its undoubted existence on the stone rendered it necessary to explain
anmcolololkalitir I should prefer even Anm Cololol na litir — "Name
of Colol, famous of letters" (ol = uaill) or any other interpretation that a
use (judicious or otherwise) of O'Reilly's dictionary might suggest!!
It does not follow that because three saints lived at Maumenorig that an
inscription found there is necessarily their memorial. Nor does it follow
that because a syllable happens to be triplicated there is necessarily any
cause other than accident for the phenomenon. One of the Whitefield
stones reads Lagobbe Mucotucacac ; and we can easily imagine a future
investigator digging up in a nineteenth -century graveyard the tomb of
" Ann Buchanan and Ananias, her husband ! "
There is nothing analogous to the system of monumental epigraphy
presupposed by the cryptic theory. Memorials all over the world are
intended to preserve the memory ; with us in Ireland they would be
intended to conceal it. The crypt-runes — a system of writing which I
think was suggested by the ogham character — never appear as being-
much above the level of playthings. Their use in the magnificent viking
lay engraven on the Rok stone is certainly remarkable, but neither there
nor anywhere else, so far as I know, do they conceal the name of the
deceased {JErlihr at Maeshowe is merely a graffito). The anagrams of
the seventeenth-century tombstone-cutters, though founded on the name
of the deceased, never concealed it, as it was always stated plainly
upon the stone. Surely it is unreasonable to suppose that the early
Irish Christians, however esoteric or mystic their faith may have been,
alone of all the nations darkened the memory of the dead.
56
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
THE IRISH CHANNEL AND DUBLIN IN 173.5.
Extracts from The Diary op "William Bulkely, of Bryndda, near
Amlwch, Anglesey, a Grand Juror of that County.
[Communicated by H. A. COSGRAVE, M.A.]
[Read November 29, 1898.]
HThe Diary from which these extracts are taken consisted of three
volumes, of which the first and third are now only forthcoming.
It begins in the year 1734, and ends in the year 1760, and gives a most
minute account of the writer's everyday life. The two journeys of
Mr. Bulkely to Dublin, which are detailed in the following extracts,
took place in 1735 — one in the spring of that year, and the other in the
following autumn.
The Diary is now in the possession of Mr. Warren Evans of Henblas,
Anglesey, a kinsman of the writer : —
March 25th, 1735. The wind E. ; a clear, fine, pleasant morning.
About noon it began to be very cold and cloudy, and continued so
without raining till night. This day I had an account that the
Sessions begins 11th of April ; and being obliged to go to Dublin
before that time to transact business, I am obliged to set out to-morrow
for Dublin, and God Almighty be my Director and Protector.
26th. Set out for the Head about 7, and being obliged to go about, we
did not arrive there till 12 in the forenoon, paid the Custom House fees
for searching my Portmanteau, 2s. ; paid 6d. for carrying it ashore ; paid
in the house, 10s. Set sail at 9 in the evening. Very calm all the night.
27th. About 1 1 in the forenoon we came within sight of the Hill of
Hoath ; came to the bay at 4 in the evening, and was near 8 before
we landed at Rings End ; paid Quilho the Master of the Packet boat
£1 Is. for our passage, gave the cabin boy 6d. ; paid the boatman that
carried us from the ship to Rings End Is. • spent at Rings End in stay-
ing for a coach lid. paid for a coach to Dublin 2s. lOd. 'Twas near
11 at night when we came to Dublin, my poor daughter being mightily
tired, and almost starved with cold.
28th. The wind N.W. ; a dark, dirty day, from morning to night ;
paid 2d. for ale.
29th. The wind S.W. ; dark and cloudy, yet dry ; paid 5d. for ale
in Bride-street.
Ap. 1st. Bought this day a pair of shoe buckles cost lis. 6d., and a
pair of knee buckles for 6s. ; paid Is. for 6 pencils, and 6d. for an ounce
THE IKISH CHANNEL AND DUBLIN IN 1735.
57
and a half of Spanish snuff. Went with Mr. Wm. Parry to the King's
Park, called Phcenix, about half a mile from the town, where Mr. Ben.
Parry hath a lodge, being one of the keepers. Returned from thence
and dined with Mr. Owen Lewis, the surgeon, at his lodging in Stephen's
{sic) Hospital.
2nd. The wind W.S.W. ; a clear day. Was at Dublin Market1 over
the Water. A very great plenty both of Pish of all sorts, as likewise
Flesh and Fowl. Beef very dear, the best pieces sold for 3d. a pound.
1 o'clock in the evening had notice of the Prince Frederick Packet being
to go over that evening ; came to my lodging in a hurry ; packed up my
things to be gone ; my poor child crying that she was forced to leave me
at so short a warning. Delivered Mr. Parry 40 guineas to be laid out on
her occasions ; took a coach half an hour past two in the evening ; came
to George's Key ; took water at 4, and came on board the packet boat,
taking leave of my good friend and cousin Wm. Parry on the Key.
3rd. The wind E.S.E. ; weighed anchor at 4 in the morning ; sailed
all that day against the wind; made very little way, being not above
7 leagues from the Irish shore by night, the wind continuing E., some-
times N.E. all the night ; I was at this time heartily tired of my voyage,
but not sick.
4th. The wind due E. ; the old crazy ship stretching the 6 hours' ebb to
the north, and the 6 hours' flood to the S. to gain 2 leagues in a tide.
Before night we were got within 4 or 5 leagues of the Head, but about
sunset a great storm arose and blew easterly all the night, and by the
morning we were drove back again in sight of the Irish shore. Could
not rest for the noise aboard all the night. The Master at last resolved
to give over any further attempts for the Welsh shore, and to turn back
to Dublin, where we arrived at 8 in the evening, April 5, being Easter
Eve ; gave the master 5s. for what I had eat and drunk aboard ; gave the
men one shilling ; came ashore and took lodgings on George's Key ;
entertained the master of the packet boat at supper, together with Mr.
Hugh Hughes of Rhoscolyn, who is an Excise officer at Wicklow for
whom I paid 4s.
6th. The wind N.E. and very cold. Dined to-day at Mr. Wm. Parry's.
Came to my lodging at 8. Drank some hot punch and went to bed,
having got a severe cold on board that leaky, crazy vessel.
7th. The wind E. blowing high and very cold. Walked with Mr. Wm.
Parry to the Phcenix Park. Saw the first swallow this year by the
Phcenix, which is the ruins of a palace in the said Park that was in the
last century built by Henry Cromwell, the late Protector's son, on the
ruins of which they have now marked out a place for the building of an
arsenal.2 Dined with Mr. Wm. Parry, and came to my lodgings at 9.
Ormond Market.
This arsenal, now known as the Magazine Fort, was built in 1738.
58
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
9th. The wind S.E. ; dull and cloudy; paid the barber 6d. for
shaving me. Went to-day to the Corn Market at Thomas-street, never
saw poorer wheat and barley, the barley especially. "Very good white
oats that they asked for Id. a stone, for the barley, 8d.
10th. The wind S.E., raining very hard all the morning as it did most
part of the night. About 5 this morning I was alarmed with a knock-
ing at my chamber door, that the Packet boat was just going off, which
was something surprising, because I had been assured the night before
she would not go till Friday. No delay being to be made in the matter
I was forced to get up, pack up my things in a hurry and to go aboard
where I arrived about 9. Weighed anchor about 10; made no great way,
the wind being contrary and calm.
11th. The wind N.E., pretty still and cold, came within sight of the
Head by day and landed in Holyhead Bay at 12 in the forenoon. Gave
Thomas Hughes, the master, 10s. 6d. for my passage. Came to Mr.
Yiner's the Postmaster's house, where I had before lodged.
12th. Set out from Head about 9 in the morning, and arrived at
home upon Mr. Yiner's horses at 2 in the evening.
Oct. 10th, 1735. About 10, D. "Williams of Bodelwyn, John Bulkely
of Gronant, myself and man, set out for the Head on our way to Dublin.
We arrived at Holyhead by 2 in the evening.
11th. About 5 in the evening the Wyndham Packet boat set sail.
Came to anchor in Dublin Pay at 6 in the morning.
12th. Paid 10s. 6d. for my passage ; to the cabin-boy, 6d. ; Is. to the
packet wherry. Came to a lodging at George's-quay at 8 in the morning.
1 3th. Came this night to my lodging in Longford- street at Mr. Burton,
a grocer's house. Agreed with a barber to shave me thrice a week and
dress my wig for 12d. a week.
14th. The wind S.E. ; a dirty, rainy day, from morn to night. Put
the two watches — my daughter's and my own — to Mr. Forrest the watch-
maker, on Essex-bridge, to mend.
15th. Went to the Market at Thomas-street; a great deal of corn of
all sorts, and something high. Returned to Coram ark et-street, bought
there a piece of cloath for 32s., Irish value.
16th. Went to the play-house in Longford-street1 to see the Beggars''
Opera. Paid 18^. there.
17th. Went to Peter's Church. Gave there 3d. charity. Walked
afterwards in Stephen's-green till dinner.
18th. Walked in the Green. Dined at Mr. Rose the apothecary, in
High-street.
20th. Went to the Cattle Market at Smithfield. A great number
of cattle there, but none very fat as I thought. Paid an English half-
1 This play-house stood at the corner of Aungier- street and Longford-street. It
was opened on the 19th of March, 1734.
THE IRISH CHANNEL AND DUBLIN IN 1735.
59
crown to see the tragedy of Don John at the play-house in Longford-
street.
29th. Paid 23s., Irish, for a dozen knives and forks ; 8s. 10d., Irish,
for drugs.
30th. Went to Dunlary to shoot. No sport. Cost me 2s. to-day.
31st. Dined at Cos. Wm. Parry, and also supped there upon a shoulder
of mutton roasted and what they call there Coel Callen, which is cabhage
boiled, potatoes and parsnips, all this mixed together. They eat well
enough, and is a Dish always had in this Kingdom on this night. Apples,
nuts, ale, &c, after supper.
Nov. 1st. The wind S.W. ; a dirty, rainy day. Tired myself in
walking to Glasminiog1 for mulberry-trees I had bought there.
3rd. "Went to Mr. Walker's gardens at Marybone and Kilmainhanu
Bought of him the following trees, which I had taken up and packed,
and sent on board the " Cloxan," viz. 12 English elms, 12 apple-trees
of different kinds, grafted on Paradise stocks and dwarf trees, 12 Para-
dise stocks, 12 yards of dwarf box for edgings of borders, 6 curran-trees
of the white, large kind, for walls. Paid 17s. 6d. Irish, for them.
4th. Cost me at the play-house in Longford-street, to see Tamerlane-
acted, 5s. Eng.
13th. Went to the play-house in Ransford- street 2 to see the Royal
Merchant, or The Beggar's Bush, acted. Cost me 2s. 10^. Irish.
21st. Bought Mr. Henry Morgan of Henblas, 100 English elms, of
Mr. Walker.
26th. Sold my lands in Dunkitt3 to Dean Alcock 4 for £126 Irish
value.
27th. Treated Mrs. Parry, her daughter, Miss Crook, and my
daughter, to the Play called The Pilgrim. Cost me 14s. 6^. Eng.
30th. Heard a very good sermon to-day at Peter's.
Dec. 10. Dined at Sot's Hole.
15th. Went to Smock-alley play-house5 to see Harry the IV. acted.
Cost me 2s. 8d. Irish. This was the first play that ever was acted at the
new play-house in Smock-alley.
22nd. Was at Smock-alley play-house to see The Recruiting Officer
acted.
28th. Walked to the Quay along with Mr. Hugh Hughes ; and having
put all my things in the boat, and paid a rascally coachman 13^. Irish
for carrying my things to the Quay, we set out from George's- quay at 6-
1 Now known as Constitution Hill. 2 This play-house was also opened in 1734.
3 A parish in the county Kilkenny, four miles from Waterford.
4 Alexander Alcock, Dean of Lismore.
5 Smock-alley Theatre was taken down in 1735, and rehuilt in the same year.
Gilbert ("History of Dublin," vol. ii., page 74) states that it was re-opened on
Thursday, 11th December, 1735, with the Comedy of Love Makes a Man, or the Fop's.
Fortune.
60
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
in the evening, and by 7 came on board the Carteret packet boat, Thomas
Hughes, of Holyhead, master. Paid Is. for my passage to the ship, but
the weather being so stormy the master resolved to stay where he was
till morning.
29th. At 6 in the morning we weighed anchor, but the wind being
cross and moreover very high, we made but little way till 1 in the even-
ing when the wind settled at S., and by 6 in the evening we were at
anchor in Holyhead. Paid half a guinea for my passage.
( 61 ^
Report on the Photographic Survey Collection (continued from the
Journal of the Society for 1898, p. 65). — In reporting the accessions to the
Society's collection for the year 1898 I am happy to be able to point to a
considerable advance. Prehistoric archaeology, in consequence of the
more extensive and intelligent appreciation of its value to students
both in our islands and abroad, comes well to the front. We have now
photographs of many very characteristic forts, cromlechs, circles, and pillars
in Mayo, Clare, Limerick, and Kerry. It is much, to be wished that our
members in Cork and Galway would devote some of their time this year
in working up similar remains in their counties, which, are very poorly
represented in the series.
Among ecclesiastical buildings, St. Doulough's stands first in import-
ance in the 1898 collection; the accessions of views of Iniscleraun and
Inisbofin churches are also noticeable. The rule being that only per-
manent photographs can be admitted to the collection, several silver
prints kindly sent do not appear on our list, but are preserved for use
in the illustration of the Journal as occasion arises.
The total increase for 1898 is 178 views. The increase for 1895 was
174; for 1896, 107; for 1897, 141. It would help not a little if the-
excellent plan of our late curator, Mr. Robinson, could be carried out,
and a complete series of views obtained of a group of antiquities, if even
in a single parish. Unfortunately there are no less than eight counties
with 10 or less photographs, while only six counties are represented by
more than 50 views.
The following gave permanent photographs : — Mr. E. K. M'C. Dix, 7.
Mr. G. F. Handcock, 2. Mrs. Shackleton, 18. The Curator, 127. The
Society, 16. The following lent negatives: — Dr. George Fogerty, 12.
Mr. T. Mayne, 10. The Photographic Society of Ireland, per Mr. P. W.
Smyth, 5. Eev. Mr. Brereton, 4. The following presented silver
prints : — Mr. Handcock, 2. Mr. M. P. Garvey, per Mr. J. Coleman, 5.
Mr. J. Coleman, 1.
Dr. C. Browne has kindly lent numerous negatives of the "Western
islands and coasts, Aehill, The Mullet, Iniskea, Clare, Caher Island, and
Aran. They are now in the hands of the photographer, Mr. T. F.
Geoghegan, and shall appear in the report for 1899.
The number of views in each county at the end of 1898 is : —
Antrim, 45. Armagh, 3. Carlow, 5. Cavan, 10. Clare, 187.
Cork, 14. Donegal, 37. Down, 74. Dublin, 89. Fermanagh, 15.
Galway, 73. Kerry, 56. Kildare, 19. Kilkenny, 46. King's County,,
62
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
29. Leitrim, 11. Limerick, 47. Londonderry, 3. Longford, 10.
Louth, 31. Mayo, 32. Meath, 54. Monaghan, 6. Queen's County,
5. Roscommon, 28. Sligo, 30. Tipperary, 30. Tyrone, 8. Water-
ford, 17. Westnieath, 17. Wexford, 29. Wicklow, 27. Total of
permanent photographs, 1087, i.e. in Ulster, 211 ; Leinster, 351 ;
Munster, 351 ; Connaught, 174.
The additions to various counties during year are : —
Clare. — Cromlechs, Ballymihil, Baur, Berneens, Clooney, Cragbally-
•conoal (two), Creevagh (2), Eanygalvan, Kilkee, Maryfort (2), Miltown,
Newgrove, Parknabinnia (four) (3), Poulnabrone (3), Rosslara (2),
Tyredagh Lower.
Forts. — Bally allaban, Ballykinvarga (3), Caherahoagh (2), Caheran-
ardurrish (Glensleade) (2), Cahercommane (3), Caherconnell, Caher-
cuttine (Noughaval), Cahergrillaun (2), Cahermackirilla (Carran), Caher-
shaughnessy (2), Cashlaun Gar (3), Carran, Doonmore (Horse Island),
Mullach-Dabrien (2), Roughan.
Mound, pillar, and basin stone, Magh Adhair.
" Castles," Ballyportrea (3), Clooney, Coolistiegue (2), Elmhill,
Inchiquin (2), Kilnaboy " Court," Lemeneagh, Lisoffin (2), Miltown (2),
Mountcashel, Newtown (Clonlara) (2), Rosslara (Fertain) (2), Tyredagh.
Ecclesiastical. — Carran, Coad (2), Inchicronan (5), Kilballyone (2),
Kilcredaun (3), Kilcrony (2), Kilnaboy (4), cross ; church and round
tower ; Killoe (3), Killone (4), Kilraghtis, Noughaval, Skaghavanoo
cross,1 Temple an aird, near Kilcredaun.
Dublin. — St. Douloughh (5), church and cross, from E. ; from S.W. ;
from S. ; from W. ; well — " The Hell Fire Club." Jfonkstown, castle (5).
Galway. — Aran Isles, Manisterkieran church and cross (3). Temple
macduach, N.W.
Kerry. — Fahan, Caheradadurrish, Cahernamairtinech (2); Caher-
conor, fort and clochaun. Glenfahan, clochaun. Templebeg.
Kilkenny. — Goivran, interior of church.
Leitrim. — Creevalea, friary from S.E. ; church; cloister.
Limerick. — Lough Gur (11), cromlech; monoliths; great circle;
second circle ; bullaun ; castle. Pigeon House. Knockanaffrin.
Longford. — Iniscleraun, " TheClogas" (5); Templemore (2); Temple-
niurray, " Church of the Dead."
Mayo. — Ballina, 11 Clochogle," cromlech. Breastagh, ogam inscrip-
tion (4) ; cromlech. Errew, monastery (2). Kilcummin, church (3).
1 This cross was found a few years ago by the Hon. Local Secretary, Dr. George
Macnamara. It lies under a " blessed bush," on the outer ring of a fine rath, in the
townland of Kells.
MISCELLANEA.
63
Killala, round tower. Moyne, friary, the cloister. Rath/ran, monastery,
from E. ; from S.W., church, side chapel ; cromlechs (2). Rosserh,
friary, from E.
Queen's County. — JBallyadams, Castle, parish church, Bowen monu-
ment.
Koscommon. — Lough Key, friary, church.
Sltgo. — JRallisadare, church, S. Sligo, friary, cloister, O'Conor tomb.
Tippeeaet. — Borris-in-Ossory, castle. Disert, church.
Westmea/iii. — Inislqfin (3), Greater church, romanesque window, lesser
•church.
Wicklow. — Aghgowle, church, from "W. ; side windows, west door,
•cross.
T. J. Westropp, Son. Curator and Librarian.
Tobernahalthora, near Louisburg. — It is marked on sheet 84 of the
Ordnance one-inch map, close to the road near Lough Nahalthora. Being
a dolmen over a holy well it is of unusual interest. It is somewhat
ruined. The type is the long dolmen with a porch, the inner cell cut ofr
by a transverse slab which does not extend quite across the gallery. One
•covering slab remains over the cell, but does not come quite up to the
transverse slab. Three large flags lie near, which seem to have been sides
and cover of the building originally much longer. If common belief did
not connect these flags with the dolmen they would have been removed,
as the well is but a few yards from a quarry worked for such flagstones.
The sides of the cell are not exclusively of single stones from ground to
Toof ; part of one side is built up.
Outside the dolmen and parallel with it are small slabs embedded
in the ground, showing that it once had a casing of stones or stones and
-sods. Being so enclosed and having a covered porch, it would be quite
dark inside, and it would be impossible to see whether there was any-
thing in the water or not. This seems to have been the case at the well
called Slan, which St. Patrick opened. Tirechan's description of Slan,
though not quite excluding the possibility that it was a long dolmen
such as Tobernahalthora certainly was, shows it to- have been rather a
square cist like the Tobergrania in the county of Clare, described by
O'Donovan (quoted by Mr. Borlase, " Dolmens of Ireland," vol. i., p. 95).
At present these two seem to be the only holy wells retaining an
•original pagan dolmen.
Tobernahalthora is still frequented, but not much ; bits of clothing-
left by persons who have made stations are occasionally to be seen, as at
other holy wells. It is not dedicated to or associated with the name of
any saint, resembling in this respect the spot by Lough Case, near
Doughmakeone {Journal, R. S. A. 1897, p. 186, and 1898, p. 233).
64
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
The altar was built for pagan worship, at a remote period, probably
consecrated for Christian worship, and is in use to this day. In other
such cases the altar has disappeared, or has been included in a church in
the case of certain dolmens. This is unaltered save by ruin of time or of
deliberate destruction. Only that the third of the loose slabs would not
cover a porch in which the other two were used for the sides, I would
suspect that a missionary removed them, as St. Patrick removed the
stone at Slan. Of course these slabs may not be really connected with
the well, or they may not have been set up. The structure may not have
been completed.
Dimensions.
FT. IN.
Entire length of structure about 14 0
Sides of well, . . . .90
"West end, including breadth of
sides, 4 8
East end, 5 0
Entrance, inside stone to stone, , 0 8
One slab on top, i.e. covering,
east end, . . . .52
FT. IN.
On slab on top, i.e. covering,
west end, . ~ . . .55
Length about the same, . .58
Uncovered part of well, . .21
Height, 3 0
Three slabs near the well measure
about 6 ft. 6 in. by 2 ft. 8 in.
The well of Slan is, in my opinion, that by tradition once holy, but
now not venerated, close to the ruined v church at Manulla, which is-
called Temple Askinneen. — H. T. Knox.
Kilelton in Glenfas. — At page 309 of the Journal for 1898, I said
that there was a fort a little to the north of the old church on Glandine,
which church is marked on the old Ordnance maps of O'Donovan's Sur-
vey, and that the fort is marked on same map as Liosparlceenreilig ', pro-
bably meaning the liss or fort of the little field of the relics, but I find
that Dr. Joyce, in his truly valuable work, " Irish Names of Places,"
vol. i., p. 318, says that reilig is an Old Irish word for cemetery or grave-
yard. This is the more interesting, because the Yery Rev. A. Isaac,
Dean of Ardfert, Member, who resides at Kilgobbin Rectory, close to
Glandine, has, on reading my paper on Glenfas in Kilelton, written to
me to say that, while kindly approving of my paper, he could find no
trace of a church or churchyard at Glandine. The church marked on
the map of 1848-50 has, no doubt, been quite swept away, like many
others, since John O'Donovan saw it, or the last vestiges of it, and marked
it on the Ordnance map ; but the words Liosparlceenreilig, as interpreted
by Dr. Joyce, another eminent Irish scholar, a worthy successor of
O'Donovan, remain as further confirmation of the existence of the ancient
church at Glandine before 1650, when the land was granted to Mr. Car-
rique. His descendant, in or about 1760, having inherited the estates
of Crotta, near Lixnaw, under the will of a maternal uncle, Henry Pon-
sonby, who died childless, the Carrique&, assuming the name and arms of
MISCELLANEA.
65
Ponsonby in addition to their own, abandoned their residence at Glan-
dine, and settled at Crotta, which they sold in the present century. It
is to be hoped that the old sites of churches and forts marked on O'Dono-
van's map, but since swept away by ignorant vandals, may be marked
on the new Ordnance Sheets as having existed in 1850. All the
historic and prehistoric remains in this glen ought to be preserved^as
National monuments. — Mary Agnes Hickson.
Tihilly, Parish of Durrow, King's County. — The accompanying
illustration is taken from a rubbing of a stone found at Tihilly lately
when the land near the church was being ploughed. I think it will be
of interest to add it to those I have already published in the Journal of
the R.S.A.I. for the year 1897 (vol. vii., 5th Series : " Old Grave-yards of
Durrow Parish"). I conclude it was a tombstone from the shape of the
stone, but unfortunately there is no
trace of an inscription or name of
any kind. ' The figuring somewhat
resembles some of that on the Pitz
Maurice tombstone from Welch Island
in the parish of Geashill, which ap-
peared in Miscellanea (Pirst Quarter,
1898). Tihilly owes its foundation
to the celebrated St. Pintan Munnu,
who founded Taghmon, in the county
"Wexford, and also gave its name to
Taghmon in the county Westmeath.
St. Pintan, we are told, studied for
a time under Sinnell, of Cluaininis,
an island in Lough Erne, who is
described as the most learned man
in Ireland or Britain. Adamnan, in his " Vita S. Columbse," Book i.,
chap, ii., has made us familiar with the story of how his youthful
desire to enter the monastery at Iona was frustrated, and how Baithen
told him of the prophecy of St. Columba about him. " That it had not
been predestined for him in the foreknowledge of God that he should
become the monk of any abbot because he had long ago been chosen of
God as an abbot of monks." This story, Adamnan tells us, was told him
by Oissene, who bore witness that he himself heard it from the mouth
of the same St. Pintan, son of Tailchan. St. Pintan accordingly sailed
over to Ireland in peace. He seems to have been one of those remark-
able men who impress their personalty on people. In appearance. he is
described as fair, with curly hair and a high complexion. And in temper
and disposition, even though he was a saint, he is described as rough.
This latter description of his character corresponds with the story of
JOUR. R.S.A.I.. VOL. IX.. PT. I.. 5TH SEK. F
Stone found at Tihilly, King's County.
66 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
his leaving Tihilly, which he gave over to the Virgin Cera in a man-
ner which, to say the least of it, was ungracious, if not unsaintly. On
his return to Ireland from Iona, he took up his abode at an island named
Cuimrige, or Cuinrige, where he founded a church at Athcaoin. But
having ascended a mountain to pray, he was so much disturbed by the
cries and turmoil at the battle of Slene (perhaps Sleenhair, near Mullingar,
a.d. 602) that he determined to leave this unhallowed spot. He next
passed on to his own territory, in the neighbourhood of Ely, but did not
visit nor salute anyone. He then built Tech-Telli (now Tihilly) in the
north of the King's County, where he remained five years. He permitted
his mother to visit him, with his sisters, but said if she came again he
would depart to Britain. "Well does the old poem say :
" The mother that bore thee, 0 Fintan, 0 Monnu,
Bore a son hard to her family."
Soon after St. Fintan had established himself at Tihilly, a virgin
(Cera) presented herself with five companions, and said to the steward :
" Tell the strong man who owns the place to give it to me, for he and
his fifty youths are stronger than I and my five maidens are, and let him
build another house for himself." Fintan complied with her request,
ordering his pupils to bring only their axes, books, chrismals, with their
ordinary clothing, and the two oxen which drew the wagon with the
books ; but he refused to bless her, and told her that the church would
not be associated with her name but with that of Telli, son of Segin.
He and his party then proceeded to the Ui Barriche, in the barony of
Slieve Margy. in the Queen's County. — Steeling de Couecy Williams.
Dun Aenghus, Aran. — With regard to the question as to the construc-
tion of the rampart of Dun Aenghus before its original character vanished
in the drastic restoration some years since — as I enjoyed the privilege of
having examined and sketched carefully, and with the greatest leisure,
the noble ruin before it was so much rebuilt — I venture to add my notes
on the subject.
The interior face, especially between the gateway and the sea, was
either entirely destroyed or buried under the debris. The sides of the
passage leading to the gateway were also mere heaps of rubbish, from at
any rate some 4 feet below the inner lintel. The gate was quite perfect,
but showed settlement. The outer face of the western segment was
entire, but towards the north-west a portion had fallen outward, leaving
a face of masonry as well and carefully built as the outer facing itself.
This sufficiently proves that the wall consisted at least of two sec-
tions. A similar feature also occurred in the Clare forts of Ballykinvarga,
Caherschrebeen, Caherbullog (lower), and the now demolished upper fort
of Ballyallaban. I did not see any such trace in Dun Conor, though a
large piece of the wall had fallen on the side towards Killeany.
MISCELLANEA.
67
In most, if not all of the other cahers which I have examined, the
wall is certainly in one piece with two faces and filling.
As regards my application of the term "original structure" to the
gate of Dun Aenghus, as noted hy Mr. Lynch on p. 16, supra, I must
explain that it was simply to mark it as the gateway seen by Petrie, and
not a reconstruction of our own time. From the marks of rebuilding in
such forts, I am as little ready to attribute it to the first foundation of
the Dun as to attribute the latter or its neighbouring cahers exclusively
to the sons of Huamore.1 — T. J. Westropp.
Rathmichael. — So long ago as 1894 attention was called [Journal,
1894, p. 181] to injudicious work done at this very interesting spot.
In consequence of this letter, Mr. Dix promptly visited the ruins, and
called the attention of the llathdown Board of Guardians to the certain
danger to the scribed stones and the removal of the stone basin (Journal,
Joe. ext., p. 291). One of the members traced the missing "bullaun" to
the master of the workhouse.
Since that time, on the occasion of several visits to the graveyard, I
have looked for the basin, hoping that the good feeling of those concerned
in its removal would have led to its restoration. On my last visit to the
ruins this had not been done ; so an object, interesting and valuable
at its original site, but of no artistic value, and therefore merely a
" curiosity" is exposed to the risk of being thrown aside as " rubbish"
-any day. Could no expression of public feeling be made known to pro-
cure its restoration ? The guardians did their part promptly and well in
removing the scribed stones from the steps ; let us hope others will
equally do their duty towards this venerable place.
I also noticed a " mill " stone (a large, flat block of granite, with an
oblong hollow, in which grain could be rubbed into meal by a hand-stone)
turned up in the field near the road, south-east from the ruins. This
might also be removed, and placed in the church. — T. J. Westropp.
Earthwork Fort or Rath in County Longford. — When out shooting
-some short time ago, my attention was called to a very well-preserved
fort in the townland of Aghaward, about one mile from the village of
Eallinalee, on the farm of Mr. John Harris. It lies at a distance of about
50 yards from the back of his house, and 200 yards from the county road,
from which, however, it is hidden from view. Its shape is pretty nearly
circular ; and though the bank of earthwork which protects the outer edge
of it all round is concealed under a luxuriant growth of furze, yet one
-can get a very good idea of its shape and formation.
1 See the Journal (1896), pp. 142-145.
P 2
68 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
On a subsequent occasion I visited, the place again, and made careful'
measurements with a tape, ascertaining the following particulars : —
The diameter of the inner circle, up to where the protecting wall of
earth comes, is just 80 feet. Prom the top of this hank to the lowest
spot outside, which was excavated all round, we get a height of 18 feet ;
and the height from bottom of excavated trench to level of field is 9 feet;-
thus an attacking party would first of all have to drop this distance into
the trench, and then scale a more or less perpendicular wall of earth, 18
feet, and, it is to be presumed, in the face of a determined defence. The
width of this trench at the field level is about 25 feet, whereas at the
bottom it is only 11 feet. The circumference of the inner protected part
is 80 yards, and the outside, taken at the base of the protecting bank, is
180 yards.
Nothing, apparently, even in the way of tradition, is known about
this fort. There are, of course, numbers of these in this part of the
country, but perhaps few which have so well escaped demolition and
disfigurement, and hence I thought it worth while sending some descrip-
tion of it. Mr. Harris, to whose courtesy I am indebted for assisting me
to take measurements, &c, tells me that he is probably going to plant it
up with larch and spruce trees, so that, in a few years, it might not be so-
easy to supply the particulars 1 am now enabled to do. Yery probably,
if some careful digging were done, "finds " would be made, but there
are few in this part of the country who care to undertake the labour and
expense entailed thereby. — J. Mackay Wilson, lion. Sec, Co. Longford.
Monasterboice Cross. — The following letter has been received from,
the Director of the Science and Art Department, Dublin : —
" Sm,
" I saw in the Journal of the Society, published September 30th, the note by Mr..
G. H. Pentland, respecting alleged scraping of the Great Cross at Monasterboice.
" On November 3rd, I went to Monasterboice with Mr. G. Coffey, Superintendent
o£ Irish Antiquities in the Museum ; we examined the cross of which the cast was
taken, and could see no mark or scratch upon it whatever. In two or three small spots
only, there is a very little white powder adhering to the undersides of the cross-arms,
and the adjacent parts of the shaft, these being protected from the rain which bad
washed the other parts ; a soft brush and some water would take this powder off
directly.
"It is true that the cross looks as if all the lichen had come off the stone, but in
winter the plant dies down, so that it is hardly apparent, and on looking at the other
cross, which our men did not touch at all, we saw that this presents a similar
appearance, as if stripped of the lichen with which it was covered last spring, excepting
only the upper parts on which some very long lichen grows.
" When a tuft of lichen falls off, it is a fact that a light coloured patch shows upon
the stone ; the reason of this is that the lichen consists partly of mineral substances,,
calcium oxalate especially, and others, in some cases to the amount of 6 per cent, of
the whole plant, and these substances it can only obtain from the stone upon which it
grows.
MISCELLANEA.
69
" In dissolving these minerals from the stone, the lichen disintegrates a thin surface
layer, and thus it is a destroyer, not a preservative of the rock or stone upon which
it grows.
" "Whether all the lichens fell off, or whether some were pulled off, is a matter of
little consequence, as they will soon grow again and continue their slowly destructive
process ; but Mr. G. H. Pentland wrote to me last July as follows : — ' Are you aware
that your workmen are engaged in scraping the carvings with iron tools, polishing the
faces of the saints, and rounding olf the ravages of time by scraping away the surface
of the stone? A party from my house saw them at work yesterday, and they tell me
that the old cross will look brand-new, just as if out of a stone-cutter's yard. I hope
you will put a stop to this disgraceful sacrilege at once, and have the work done
properly if it must be done at all.'
" The formatore or modeller employed is of great experience, and one of the very
(best men who could be found at his trade, which consists in taking casts from delicate
works of art, and as I have above stated, there is not, so far as Mr. Coffey or I can see,
a single scratch or mark upon the stone of any kind.
"As any person can see for himself, no scraping or scratching with any tool, steel
•or otherwise, has been done on any part of the cross.
"It is, perhaps, hardly necessary to point out that the ' ringing sound of metal
on stone,' heard by Mr. Pentland's friends, was simply the sound of a hammer on a
bolt-head, either in fixing the scaffold, or in bracing together the backing of the cast.
" Such statements are, however, likely to mislead the public, and interfere with
the very important work of obtaining casts of the beautiful specimens of early
Christian art and architecture in this country, which are gradually being lost; by the
action of weather, time, and accident ; I therefore brought the above facts to the
notice of the Board of Works, and have received from them the following reply. I
shall be obliged if the Society will be so good as to publish it together with this letter.
" I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
" G. T. Plunk ett,
" Director.
" December 22nd, 1898."
" Office of Public Works, Dublin.
" December 2\st, 1898.
Sir,
" In reply to your letter of the 18th ult., asking to be informed if the Board are
satisfied that no damage has been done to the cross at Monasterboice in taking a mould
from it, I am directed by the Commissioners of Public Works to inform you, that the
•Superintendent of Ancient and National Monuments reports that, after the moulding
had been taken, he visited the cross and examined it. He reports as follows : —
*■ There was not a trace of injury to the carving. To remove the lichen, some
instrument may have been used, but it was for this purpose alone. I could trace no
sign of scraping.' He further stated that he observed some white marks at the base of
the cross, which appeared to have been a portion of the plaster forming part of the mould,
but that such marks were ' very trivial,' and ' there was nothing that the rain would
not remove.'
" I am Sir, your obedient servaut,
" (Signed), H. Williams,
' 4 Secretary*
** To The Director, Science and Art Museum,
KlI.DARE-STREET, DUBLIN."
70
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
The Cross of Monasterboice. — The following note has been received
from Mr. G. H. Pentland, Black Hall, Drogheda, under the date of 6th
January, 1899 : —
I am much obliged to you for sending me a copy of Colonel Plunkett's letter. It
directly contradicts the statements I made in our Society's Journal.
Colonel Plunkett says the cross is in no way injured. I am very glad to hear this,
but think that, under the circumstances, the cross has been fortunate.
Colonel Plunkett says cautiously that the cross holes as if all the lichen had come
off the stone, and gives as the reason that the plant dies down in winter, instancing the
similar state of the lower part of the other cross.
This reason will not serve. The whole cross was bare of the long lichen last
August. Moreover, the reason that the lower part of the other cross is bare is that the
peasants pick off the lichen as far as they can reach for a remedy against whooping
cough. They cannot reach the upper part. I noticed this bareness last summer, and
ascertained the cause from the caretaker.
Colonel Plunkett says that lichen is a destroyer, not a preserver.
I should have thought that the protection it affords against the weather would more
than compensate for the small amount of nourishment it takes from the stone.
However, the most important part of Colonel Plunkett's letter, so far as I am per-
sonally concerned, is the paragraph in which he says : "As any person can see for him-
self, no scraping or scratching with any tool, steel or otherwise, has been done on any
part of the cross."
If he means by this that no scrapes or scratches could now be detected on the stone,
I would have nothing to say; but the whole tenor of his letter shows that he means to
convey that the lichen was not scraped off the cross at all, but simply died off. On this
point I must join issue with him.
Colonel Plunkett's own modeller showed me how he scraped the lichen off the cross
with a small tool, I presume of steel. He did it before my eyes as I stood beside him
©n the scaffolding, and he did it for the purpose of showing me how carefully he
worked. He did not use his ordinary tools, as he explained to me, because it would
spoil their edges. I asked the caretaker how the lower part of the cross was cleaned
{i.e., the part Mr. Adam complained of) ? and she told me the workmen had scraped the
lichen off it. "When I examined the cross again, on August 8, the -workmen had gone,
and it was quite bare of lichen, not picked bare like the shaft of the other cross, but
scraped bare, and looking very different. I am perfectly convinced that the entire
eross was scraped from top to bottom in the way the modeller showed me.
I wish to say that the modeller seemed to be a most careful and intelligent man,,
and I think he deserves great credit for doing so little damage.
As to the disfigurement of the cross, I cannot do better than refer to Mr. Patrick
Adam's opinion. He is a well-known artist (P. A. of Scotland), and had just been
visiting Clonmacnoise and other ruins with a view to making paintings of them ; so
I think his opinion should carry some weight. He considered that from an artistic
point of view the cross was quite disfigured by removing the lichen.
Monasterboice Great Cross. — In Part 3, vol. viii., p. 264, Mr. G. PL
Pentland, b.a., j.p., published an account of some^ circumstances attending
the taking of moulds of the Great Cross of Monasterboice in July, 1898.
To this communication the Director of the Science and Art Department,
Dublin, has taken exception. His letter appears antea, pp. 68, 69, along
with an enclosure from the Secretary of Public Works, Dublin.
This correspondence was forwarded to Mr. G. H. Pentland, and his
MISCELLANEA.
71
letter in reply is also printed. Our Members mnst form their own con-
clusions as to the cleaning, scraping, or scratching of the cross from the
correspondence. When the cross was moulded in 1852, in order that a
cast of the cross should be on view at the great Industrial Exhibition
of 1853, the work was carried out, not only by skilled hands, but also
under the superintendence of a committee. Had similar precautions
been taken in 1898, there would probably have been no complaint.
Should moulds be taken from other Irish crosses, it is to be hoped that
the latter will be carefully inspected both before and after the moulding.
The Director of the Science and Art Department, Dublin, is possibly
not to be held altogether accountable for his statements about the lichens
on the cross ; these lichens do not die down in winter. Mr. Pentland
gives the true explanation why one of these [Ramalina farinacea)
had been stripped off the other cross, excepting the upper parts, on
which a considerable quantity of lichen still grows, i. e. the parts
beyond the reach of an ordinary hand and arm. Calcium oxalate is
certainly not a " mineral substance," nor are the lichens of necessity
annual plants or destroyers of the stony surfaces on which some of them
vegetate. A great deal depends on the surfaces and substance of the stone.
The Great Cross has been under a more or less close inspection since
1852, and it seems probable that the minute incrusting lichen {Lecanora
parella), which has grown over all the surfaces of the cross, which were
exposed to a sufficiency of moisture, has acted rather as a protective
than a destroying agent. It is a species which clings so tightly, that no
mere rubbing would entirely remove it from the stonework ; it is this
lichen which Mr. Pentland says was scraped off. The lichen which was
found at the base of the cross, and which had grown up over the
inscribed stone (Parmelia saxatilts), is much more easily peeled or
washed off, and with the grass and weeds that grow up over the base-
ment, might, from time to time, be even beneficially removed.
Subjoined is the Resolution of the Council of 29th November, 1898,
as forwarded to the Board of Public Works, Dublin, and their reply of
21st December, 1898:—
* ' That the Council of the Eoyal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland have
learned with surprise the determination of the Commissioners of the Board of
"Works (27th August, 1898) to enter into special arrangements with (he Science
and Art Department with reference to any future taking of casts of Ancient
Monuments in their custody, and consider that before entering into any such
arrangements with the Science and Art Department, or other Bodies, the Board
should lay each individual case before their National Monuments Committee for
their special advice thereon."
"I am directed to state that the Board note the opinion of the Royal Society of
Antiquaries, and are glad to find that it agrees with their own view. The letter of
27th August last did not mean that the National Monuments Committee would not be
consulted, but only that in each case, if permission were given, special arrangements,
as required by the particular cases, would be made with the Science and Art Depart-
ment, with the object of defining the limits of action of that Department."
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTlQUAItUOS OF IKKLAND.
Notices; of 55oofe$»
[Note. — The Works marked thus (#) are by Members of the Society.^
* ^Register of Wills and Inventories of the Diocese of Dublin in the time of
Archbishops Tregury and Walton, 1457-1483. Edited by Henry P.
Berry, m.a.
The Society is to be congratulated upon the enterprise of the Council in
the production of the above work. It forms a kind of companion volume
to Mr. Mills' " Account Roll of the Priory of Holy Trinity, Dublin,
1337-46," the annual volume for 1891, and both reach the high- water
mark of competent editing. They bear the impress of ripe scholarship,
great industry and research, and sound critical sense. We have had
enough and to spare of the everlasting serving up of old material in
books on Irish subjects, against which all self-respecting scholarship
should set its face. In the preparation of the works for the annual volumes
both care and judgment is observed ; and in the selection of Mr. Mills
and Mr. Berry by the Council, as editors for the works in question,
they chose scholars whose competency for the tasks entrusted to them
needs no comment from us. These books have been printed at the
Dublin University Press, and in a manner which is a credit to this firm.
In the case of Mr. Berry's work, immense labour and patience must
have been spent upon it, on account of the bewildering form of the
contracted Latin in which the MS. was written, and which has been
carefully reproduced in type. Mr. Berry, to whom we accord our
warm gratitude, has spared us the reading of this, by giving us a full
translation, page by page, of the by no means attractive text, notwith-
standing its admirable typography.
Of the high value and importance of the "Register of Wills and
Inventories" it is difficult to give an estimate. Mr. Berry gives us an
introduction of considerable length, which forms not only a most valu-
able contribution to our knowledge of the condition of the social life of
the fifteenth century, but adds largely also to our knowledge of the
ecclesiastical affairs of the diocese of Dublin at that time. As in
Mr. Mills' work, so in Mr. Berry's, we breathe the very atmosphere
of the Middle Ages. It is from such sources as these that the
historian seeks inspiration ; and it is impossible to over-estimate the
NOTICES OF BOOKS.
73
importance of Mr. Berry's book as a contribution to the knowledge of
the social customs and domestic life of the fifteenth century.
To the genealogist the book is full of interest, and we believe it will
solve many a vexed question in family pedigrees.
The wills are full of lists of household furniture, apparel, plate,
jewellery, farming and trade implements ; and what is of far more
importance, particulars of prices of these, as well as of food, farm pro-
duce, live stock, &c. Horses and cows were worth about 5s. each,
hogs Is., sheep 4d. Six measures of wheat were worth 8s., seven of
oats 3s., three of barley 2s. 3d. Compared with these, utensils were
dear : one pan and three brass pots we read were worth 13s. 4d., a chest
Is. ; again, two brass pots 8s., two pans 10s., two brass skillets 13s. 4d.
One pair of blankets we find valued at 2s., and three sheets at 2s. "We
•are reminded of Shakspere's will and his " best bedstead," in reading of
Richard "White leaving to Margaret White 13s., the best brass pot, and
all his household stuff. The funeral feast was evidently an expensive
affair, for we find from such wills as that of Joan W7hite : " for bread
5 measures of wheat, for ale 6 measures of malt, for meat one cow, for
the funeral 4 priests with their clerks, for wax 4 pounds." Utensils
were left to the parish for general use, as Joan White leaves, in the will
quoted, " one three-legged pan and one trough with two trundles for the
use of my neighbours of the said town of Leixlip, for the health of my
soul and (the souls) of my ancestors." Nicholas Delaber leaves a pot
and skillet to pass in common among the rich and poor of Balrothery for
ever. Turf, as Mr. Berry points out, is but once mentioned; and but
one book, the Pupilla Oculi, a manual for the clergy, belonging to Arch-
bishop Walton. Particulars of the goods left to the churches and the
poor, in and around Dublin, are of great interest, and leave a favourable
impression of the Christian charity that existed, and exercised its salu-
tary influence over those rude and troubled days.
The most important wills in the collection are those of Archbishops
Tregury and Walton, the latter being remarkable for the quantity and
value of the household and ecclesiastical articles in Walton's possession.
Mr. Berry gives us some new facts concerning the life and career of
Tregury, as lie does on many other names and obscure points in the wide
field covered in the " Wills and Inventories." . His comments and
•elucidations are full of valuable information on many technical terms,
and on the names and places in Dublin and the neighbourhood. We
can only say, in conclusion, that seldom have we perused a work of
•deeper interest, whether we turn to the text itself, or to Mr. Berry's
valuable annotations. We congratulate Mr. Berry on the production
of such a work, in this most uninviting and difficult of fields of research,
a work which need fear no comparison with any of a similar kind
produced in the sister kingdom.
74
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Index to the Prerogative Wills of Ireland, 1536-1810. Edited by Sir
Arthur Vicars, f.s.a., Ulster King-at-Arms. (Dublin : Edward
Ponsonby, 116, Graf ton-street.) 1897.
The great importance of wills for the study of family and social history
and biography is so generally recognised, that all interested in these
branches of investigation in Ireland have looked forward to the appear-
ance of this long promised publication.
The wills formerly lodged in the Prerogative Office form by far the
most important testamentary collection yet preserved in Ireland. The
Court of Prerogative is of earlier origin than the Patent of James I.,
mentioned by Sir A. Yicars in his Preface. It was established by the
Act 28th Henry VIII., c. 19, which extended to Ireland the application
of the Act of Faculties, then lately passed in England. This Act vested
in the King and his officers the jurisdiction in testamentary and matri-
monial matters, formerly exercised by the Pope and his legate, and
clothed the King in this country with powers similar to those which he
had already acquired in England.
On the formation of the Record Commission in 1810, they undertook,
as one of their most useful labours, the arrangement of the wills and
other records of the Prerogative Office. Sir A. Vicars is, however,
mistaken, in asserting that no Indexes previously existed; for the
Commissioners reported of that Office that " there are Indexes and
Alphabets suited to public convenience, and not considered defective."
But the fuller Index, prepared under the Commissioners' direction, is of
the greatest value, and of this we were promised a print, carefully
edited, by constant reference to the original wills, and with other
editorial improvements.
The volume has been produced in the most attractive form ; beauti-
fully printed by the University Press in well-marked type ; and prettily
and artistically bound in maroon cloth, with the arms of Ulster stamped
in gold on the front. Unfortunately an examination of its contents, and
a comparison of some parts with the publicly accessible original Index,
show a most serious array of inaccuracies and omissions. We readily
pass over some slips in the Preface; but in the Index itself we are
confronted with errors of three kinds — (a) a large number of wills are
entirely omitted ; (b) names are misspelt ; (e) wrong dates are attached
in many instances.
"We note a few instances of each class of error which have come
under our notice — (a) Wills entirely omitted from Sir A. Vicars' Index —
1709, Allen, Richard, of Coolecurkey, Co. Wicklow ; 1602, Bellings,
John, Corballis, Co. Meath ; 1696, Black, David, Cork, merchant; 1804,
Brien, John, Salson, Co. Fermanagh; 1731, Burnaby, John, Dublin,
gentleman ; 1747, Civill, Richard, Dublin, merchant; 1637, Costerdine,.
George, Coleraine, gentleman; 1728, Eaton, John, Castlekelly, Co.
NOTICES OF BOOKS.
75
Kilkenny, Esq. ; 1760, Eccles, John, Eatra, Co. Koscommon, gentleman;
1648, Esmonde, Lawrence, Lord Baron of Linibrick ; 1757, Maxwell,
Arthur Hamilton; 1738, Bathborne, Joseph, Dublin, chandler.
(3) Testators' names misspelt : — 1800, Allebgone, William (rede
Allebyrn) ; 1661, Ardfert, Thomas, Earl of (rede Ardglass) j 1799,
Angier, Elizabeth (rede Augier) ; 1631, Apfull, John (rede Axfull)
1793, Meakins, John, chandler (rede surname Chandler) ; 1744,
Pilkington, Mary, widow of Baron P, (rede Pocklington).
(c) "Wrong years assigned to wills : — 1770, Alexander, Robert (rede-
1790) ; 1755, Aylward, Michael (rede 1785) ; 1780, Eaton, Eichard
(rede 1786) ; 1700, Moore, James (rede 1788) ; 1775, Morgan, John
(rede 1675); 1792, Pentony, Christopher (rede 1769).
These are but specimens of the frequently recurring errors through-
out the book, their frequency increasing as the work goes on. Asa
test, we have collated the short letter 11 Q," which occupies only one of
the 502 pages in the book. Passing over several minor errors (two in
dates, one in a reference number, and two in the spelling of names),
we found the following four wills wholly omitted : —
1776. Quea, Mary, of Maralin, co. Down.
1805. Quin, Elizabeth, Dublin, widow.
1791. Quin, Henry, of Dublin, Doctor of Physic.
1791. Quinan, Anna, alias Wood.
It is a matter of much regret that a work so beautifully produced,,
and calculated to be of so much use, should be marred by so many
defects, which a reasonable care could have prevented. Much as we
should wish, to speak in praise of any work produced by the genial and
courteous Editor of this volume, we are in duty constrained to warn
students of the inaccuracy of a work which purports to be an edition of
an official Index, and which comes stamped with a quasi-official
guarantee.
History of Corn Milling. Yol. u. Watermills and Windmills. By Eichard
Bennett and John Elton. (London : Simpkin, Marshall & Co.,
Ltd.; Liverpool: E.Howell, Church-street.) 1899.
The promise given in the first volume of this interesting and valuable-
work is well carried out in the second part. As the former section
related to hand mills and slave and cattle mills, this turns to more
advanced machines.
The water mill seems to have come into use over 2000 years ago :
the earliest known allusion to it being in a pretty epigram, by Anti-
pater of Thessalonika, about 85 B.C., bidding the mill slaves rest till the
76
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
dawn, "for Ceres has commanded the water nymphs to perform your
task."
The horizontal wheel was of use in Northern and Western Europe
at a very early period. Several Irish examples are given from the
•early volumes of the Journal of this Society, and the Ulster Journal of
ArchcEology . Similar mills are still in use in the Scotch Islands,
Norway, and even Roumania.
The familiar vertical wheel, with its more complex machinery, is
first described by Vitruvius about twenty years before the Christian
■era, and the type soon became more widespread than the simpler form.
We note an edict of Honorius and Arcadius (a.d. 398) to prevent
"impudent" persons from diverting the water supply of the State
mills ; but the imperial favour must have been shown from about
a.d. 144, as the "Collegium" of the millers, or "corpus pistorum,"
erected a marble tablet, with figures of a millstone, and a basket of ears
of corn, commemorating their protector, Antoninus Pius. The Roman
laws relating to mills are given to a.d. 417, and a chapter on floating
mills abounding in quaint illustrations.
To return to Ireland, the authors throw doubt on the legend of
Cormac mac Airt's mill at Tara, said to have been erected by a Scotch
millwright in the middle of the third century. They argue that the
watermill was unknown in Roman Britain (where apparently no ruined
mill, and only one millstone larger than a quern, has been found) ; they
allow, however, that it may have been more directly imported ; and,
considering the communication with Spain and Ptolemy's acquaintance
with the great havens of Ireland in the previous century, we do not
feel disposed to surrender so explicit and probable a legend of the great
king, standing in the twilight of semi-historic tradition.
Mills appear in our Annals from 651 ; and the miraculous mill of
St. Fechin of Fore is noted not only in Giraldus Cambrensis, but in
native authors. It refused to grind on a Sunday, and was too holy to
be approached by a woman ! St. Moling also spent eight years in
building a mill in county Carlow, but the only miracles there shown
were the holy man's " extraordinary patience and perseverance." The
important enumeration of the parts of a mill in the Brehon laws are
given, but are too familiar to Irish antiquaries to need more than passing
reference. The Welsh and Anglo-Saxon laws relating to watermills are
abstracted, and there is a valuable chapter on the mills " written in the
Domesday Book."
The early records of windmills seem to be unusually obscure and
unreliable ; there seems to be no clear proof of their existence in
England before 1200, and their records only become abundant from the
close of the thirteenth century. Space does not allow notice further of
their history.
The authors have certainly produced a most useful volume. The
NOTICES OF BOOKS.
77
mere collection of facts from so many scattered works would be good
service to archaeology, but they have done more in good arrangement
and condensation. The book equally abounds in interesting and often
very picturesque illustrations, not only from the ancient manuscripts,
but from existing buildings. The very history is a cheerful and
encouraging story of human advance from hard, and often hopeless,
drudgery, to an intelligent adaptation of the forces put at the disposal
of man by kindly nature. As in the case of some of our most price-
less legacies from the past, the names of the inventors and early
improvers are lost, and only their work remains to claim our
gratitude.
%An Ulster Parish : being a History of Bonaghcloney ( Waring stown)*
By Edward Dupre Atkinson, ll.b., m.r.s.a.i., Rector of Donagh-
cloney, 168 pp., 8vo., 2s. 6d. net (Dublin : Hodges, Figgis & Co.,
Limited). 1898.
Not since Messrs. Ball & Hamilton produced their admirable work on
" The Parish of Taney " has anything so good in the way of a parish his-
tory been produced in Ireland as Mr. Atkinson's book on Dor.aghcloney.
It is encouraging to find such an increasing interest in the antiqui-
ties and history of our native land, and though much remains to be done,
the examples set in producing reliable parish histories are likely to b&
followed, as each new effort acts as a stimulus and incentive to others to-
undertake similar work elsewhere.
The present work commences with the early traditions of the locality,
and contains an account of the old proprietors, the Magenises of Clancon-
nell, and the part taken by them in the rebellion of 1641, and goes on to
the Cromwellian forfeiture and the transfers of the property to the "Waring
family whose representatives still remain in possession. Interesting-
letters from members of the old Magenis family to the Warings are
given, and also unpublished letters of Bishop Jeremy Taylor, Addison,
Duke Schomberg, and others, which add to the historical value of the
work.
Some chapters are devoted to ecclesiastical events, with notices of the
Clergy, Churchwardens, and principal parishioners, also extracts from
the vestry, minutes and registries, and the connexion of the families of
Magenis, Waring, Magill, Mead, Young, and Blacker with the parish are
noticed at length.
The illustrations are both numerous and excellent. A plan of the
village drawn in the year 1703 a.d., is given, and it is astonishing
to find that the position of so many of the houses, gardens, and.
78
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
fields shown thereon, remains practically unchanged to the present
day.
A chapter is devoted to the linen industry which is the staple trade
of the locality, and an account is given of its introduction thereto. The
chapter dealing with the monuments and inscriptions on the headstones
is highly interesting, and will prove valuable in assisting many persons
now resident elsewhere, whose ancestors belonged to the parish, to trace
their kindred. The value of such works to genealogists in this connexion
cannot be too highly appreciated.
The time 'and labour involved in producing such a work must have
been very great, and the learned author is to be congratulated on the suc-
cessful result of his admirable research and industry. Tt is to be hoped
other local histories will follow. It is now more than twenty years since
Mr. Richard Linn, Fellow, formerly of Banbridge, but now of Christ-
church, New Zealand, commenced to collect materials for the history of
the adjoining parish of Seapatrick ; he has recently obtained extracts
from the Public Record Office of many original documents, and the
appearance of his work is looked forward to with interest. There are
other workers in the field ; the Rev. Sterling De Courcy Williams is
doing good work in Durrow, and the Rev. William F. T. Falkiner is
making exhaustive investigations in Killucan ; their labours when given
in the form of local histories will gratify a large number of our members.
The Life of Theobald Wolfe Tone. By Alice L. Milligan. (Belfast,
1898.) 8vo, 121 pages.
Pew even amongst those least in sympathy with the revolutionary aims
and efforts of Wolfe Tone will now be disposed to deny that he was a
most striking and interesting, if not unique, personality, who, rightly or
wrongly, has won an imperishable name in Irish history. Though brief
his span of existence, whose tragical termination took place in his
thirty-sixth year, few lives were, in their way, so stirring and momen-
tous ; and though he failed in his plans, the fault could not be laid upon
him. Most that is now known of him is due to his autobiography, a
work which his son published early in this century.
Edited by Mr. Barry O'Brien, the main substance of this life has
I>een recently re-published by T. Fisher Unwin, London, in two bulky
volumes. The present year having again brought Wolfe Tone's name
into prominence, it was only to be expected that some account of his
life's work should be presented in a more accessible form ; and in Miss
Milligan' s little volume accordingly we have a well- written and fairly
adequate, if brief, sketch of the life and aims of this extraordinary man.
Of Tone's political work in Ireland it does not, however, claim to say
NOTICES OF BOOKS.
79
sufficient, but dwells at a greater length on the narrative of his negotia-
tions with Erance, and the story of his arrest, trial, and death. Appended
to Miss Milligan's presentment of Wolfe Tone is a very interesting
sketch of a visit paid by some Irish-Americans, in 1861, to his grave in
Bodenstown churchyard, which, but for Davis's pathetic lines, would
not improbably have long passed out of recollection.
Miss Milligan's book on Wolfe Tone concludes with a full account of
his descendants in America, that is not to be found in any previous
publication relating to him.
Apropos of Wolfe Tone, it may not be amiss to mention that an
interesting Paper, by Mr. Gr. D. Burtchaell, dealing with his connexion
with Trinity College Historical Society, and giving, in extenso, Tone's
speech, as chairman, at the close of its 20th Session, will be found on
page 395, vol. viii., of our Journal, 1888 [vol. xviii., consecutive series].
( 80 .
The Annual General Meeting of the Society was held in the Society 's-
Rooms, 6, St. Stephen's-green, Dublin, on Tuesday, 17th January, at
4 o'clock, p.m. ;
Edward Perceval Wright, m.a., m.d., m.r.i.a., Vice-President,
in the Chair, in the absence of the President.
The following were present during the proceedings : —
Fellows. — Thomas Drew, r.h.a., Vice-President ; Rev. J. F. M. ffrench, m.r.i.a.,
Vice-President; J. J. Digges La Touehe, ll.d., m.r.i.a., Vice-President ; Robert
Cochrane, f.s.a., m.r.i.a., Hon. Gen. Secretary ; F. Elrington Ball, m.r.i.a.; Francis-
Joseph Bigger, m.r.i.a. ; G. D. Burtchaell, m.a., m.r.i.a. ; John Cooke, m.a. ; R. S.
Long-worth Dames, b.a., m.r.i.a. ; P. M. Egan ; Lord Frederick Fitz Gerald ; Lord
Walter Fitz Gerald; J. R. Garstin, m.a., v.s.a., m.r.i.a. ; George A. P. Kelly, m.a. ;
Richard Langrishe, f.r.i.a.i. ; T. J. Mellon; S. F. Milligan, m.r.i.a. ; James Mills,
m.r.i.a. ; William R. J. Molloy, m.r.i.a. ; P. J. O'Reilly ; Count Plunkett, m.r.i.a. ;
Countess Plunkett ; J. G. Robertson, Hon. Fellow ; Rev. Canon Stoney, d.d. ; Colonel
P. D. Vigors; Thomas J. Westropp, m.a., m.r.i.a.
Members. — J. Poe Alton; Samuel Baker ; H. F. Berry, m.a. ; Robert Bestick ;
James Brenan, r.h.a. ; Rev. K. C. Brunskill, m.a. ; Eev. R. A. Burnett, m.a. ;
John Carolan ; Rev. William Carrigan, c.c. ; Anthony R. Carroll; W. P. Chapman;
Very Rev. Canon Conlan, p.p.; H. A. Cosgrave, m.a.; E. R. M'C. Dix ; Henry
Dixon; G. Duncan ; Rev. A. L. Elliott, m.a. ; Rev. William Falkiner, m.a., m.r.i.a. ;
S. A. 0. Fitzpatrick ; Thomas Greene, ll.d.; Very Rev. T. Hare, d.d., Dean of
Ossory ; W. A. Henderson ; H. Hitchins ; Rev. H. Hutchins, m.a. ; Very Rev. H.
Jellett, d.d., Dean St. Patrick's; Richard J. Kelly; Rev. Canon Kernan, b.j>. ;
Rev. H. W. Lett, m.a., m.r.i.a. ; Mrs. T. Long ; Rev. F. J. Lucas, d.d. ; Rev. H.
C. Lyster, b.d. ; B. Mac Sheehy, ll.d. ; James M'Connell ; Mrs. M'Donnell; Mis&
H. G. Manders ; G. E. Matthews ; Right Rev. W. E. Meade, d.d., Bishop of Cork ;
Rev. Joseph Meehan, c.c. ; Joseph H. Moore, m.a. ; Rev. J. A. Nowlan, o.s.a. ;
Miss Peter ; T. Plunkett, m.r.i.a. ; Rev. A. D. Purefoy, m.a. ; J. M. Quinn ; Miss
Reynell ; Bernard Herron Roice ; Rev. George W. Rooke, m.a., Precentor; Rev. J.
J. Ryan, v.p. ; Mrs. J. F. Shackleton ; E. W. Smyth ; Mrs. E. W. Smyth ; Rev.
C, Maurice Stack, m.a.; C. W. Steele; Rev. Joseph A. Stewart; W. C. Stubbs,
m.a. ; F. P. Thunder ; H. P. Truell, m.d. ; J. Walby ; Captain W. P. Hussey
Walsh; R. D. Walshe; Very Rev. G. P. White, m.a., "b.d., Dean of Cashel; W.
Grove White, ll.b. ; Rev. S. de Courcy Williams, m.a. ; Rev. George Otway Wood-
ward, M.A.
The Minutes of last Meeting were read and confirmed.
PROCEEDINGS.
81
The following Candidates, recommended by the Council, were
declared duly elected : —
Fellows.
Ball, Francis Ellington, m.r.i.a., j.p. (Member, 1896), Mopoon, Dundrum, Co.
Dublin: proposed by Robert Cochrane, f.s.a., "Hon. Gen. Secretary.
Black, Charles Herbert, Dunedin, Otago, New^ Zealand: proposed by Richard Linn,
Fellow.
Doyle, Rev. Richard Barry, 1513 Superior-street, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.: proposed
by Robert Cochrane, f.s.a., m.r.i.a., Hon. Secretary.
Kearney, Francis Edgar, ll.d. (Dubl.), George-street, Limerick : proposed by H.
C. Cullinan, ll.b., Fellow.
Macan, Arthur V., m.b., 53, Merrion-square, Dublin: proposed by J. J. Digges
La Touche, ll.d., m.r.i.a., Vice-President.
Upton, Henry Arthur Shuckburgh, j.p. (Member, 1896), Coolatore, Moate, Co. West-
meath : proposed by G. D. Burtchaell, m.a., m.r.i.a., Fellow.
Members.
Costello, Thomas Bodkin, m.d., Bishop -street, Tuam : proposed by R. J. Kelly,
B.L., J.P.
Dowdall, J. P., Mullingar : proposed by James Tuite, m.p.
Eagle, Edward, 60, Pembroke-road, Dublin : proposed by A. Patton, m.d.
Fitz Gerald, Peter, j.p., Cragbeg, Limerick : proposed by W. A. Fogerty, m.d.,
Fellow.
Hackett, Kirkwood, Valuation Office, Ely-place, Dublin: proposed by G. A. P.
Kelly, m.a., Fellow.
Hicks, Frederick J., 28, South Frederick-street, Dublin : proposed by Robert
Cochrane, f.s.a., m.r.i.a., Son. Secretary.
Hingston, George, Collector of H. M. Customs, Custom House, Dublin ; proposed by
Robert Cochrane, f.s.a., m.r.i.a., Son. Secretary.
Jordan, Myles De Exeter, m.d., Castlebar : proposed by P. Newell, b.a.
Lawlor, Rev. Thomas, p.p., Kilorglin : proposed by P. J. Lynch, m.r.i.a.i., Fellow.
Librarian, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth : proposed by G. D. Burtchaell, m.a.,
m.r.i.a., Fellow.
M'Connell, John, j.p., College-green House, Belfast, and Rathmona, Donaghadee :
proposed by S. K. Kirker, Fellow.
Malone, Laurence, Innismaan, Queen's Park, Monkstown : proposed by T. Drew,
R.h.a., Vice-President.
Malone, Mrs., Innismaan, Queen's Park, Monkstown : proposed by T. Drew, r.h.a.,
Vice-President.
Nichols, Mrs., Kilbrack, Doneraile, Co. Cork: proposed by W. J. Grove White,
LL.D.
Sellens, Frank Marshall James, The Village House, Raheny : proposed by John
Cooke, m.a., Fellow.
Walsh, V. J. Hussey-, Barrister-at-Law, 4, Curzon-street, Mayfair, London, W.
proposed by G. D. Burtchaell, m.a., m.r.i.a., Fellow.
Walshe, Richard D., 20, Harrington- street, Dublin ; proposed by Francis P.
Thunder.
Yeldham, Charles Cecil, d.i., k.i.c, Six-mile-bridge, Co. Clare: proposed by T. E.
Galt*Gamble, Da., R.i.c.
JOUR. R.S.Ail., VOL. IX., PT* I., §TH SER.
G
82
ROYAL SOCIETY' OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
The Eeport of the Council for the year 1898 was read as follows : —
The Council have to report that the deaths of seven Fellows, one Hon. Fellow, and
twenty-three Members have been notified during the course of the year 1898. The
number of names now upon the Roll is 1369: — 205 Fellows and Hon. Fellows, and
1164 Members. 12 Members have resigned, and 15 names have been removed for
non-payment.
The Fellows who died were — Lord Carlingford, k.p., a Yice-President for 1888-
89; the Earl of Desart ; Lavens Mathewson Ewart, m.r.i. a., a Vice-President for
1892-97; Harold Frederic; Herbert Webb Gillman ; Sir Stuart Knill, Bart; the
Rev. Samuel Martin Mayhew ; and Sir John Thomas Gilbert, il.d., Hon. Fellow.
Among the Members the Society has lost the Rev. George Thomas Stokes, d.d.,
Professor of Ecclesiastical History, University of Dublin, who, at the time of his death,
and for several years, was a Member of the Council. Dr. Stokes was elected a
Member of the Society in 1887, and the following Papers by him were published in
the Journal: — " Dudley Loftus : A Dublin Antiquary of the Seventeenth Century" ;
" Athlone in the Seventeenth Century"; " Killeger Church, Co. Dublin"; and
" Island Monasteries of Wales and Ireland," all of which appeared in vol. i., 5th Ser.
(1890-91) ; " St. Fechinof Fore, and his Monastery," vol. ii. (1892) ; " The Antiquities
from Kingstown to Dublin," vols. iii. (1893) and v. (1895) ; " St. Hugh of Rahue :
his Church, his Life, and his Times," vol. vi. (1896). " Liber Niger," vols. iii. [1893],
and vol. vii. [1897]. A Memoir of Dr. Stokes appears in the Preface to the Journal of
the Society for 1898.
The Rev. John Elliott, who was elected a Member in 1884, was for several years
Hon. Local Secretary for Armagh.
The Vice-Presidents who retire by rotation at the Annual General Meeting for
1899 are— Colonel Vigors; Mr. Milligan ; the Most Rev. Dr. Sheehan, Bishop of
Waterford and Lismore ; and Dr. Frazer : and the following have been duly
nominated :— For Leinster, Lord Walter Fitz Gerald ; for Ulster, the Rev. Dr. Buick ;
for Minister, the Rev. Edmond Barry, p.p., m.r.i.a. ; and for Connaught, the Most
Rev. Dr. Healy, Bishop of Clonfert.
Three Members of Council were co-opted to fill vacancies which occurred since the
last Annual General Meeting: — Mr. T. J. Westropp, m.a., m.r.i. a., Fellow and Mr.
F. Elrington Ball, m.k.i.a., on the 26th of January, in place of Dr. Wright and
Dr. La Touche, elected Vice-Presidents, and Mr. William C. Stubbs, m.a., Eon. Local
Secretary for North Dublin, on the 29th of March, in place of the late Professor Stokes.
The Council met twelve times, and the Members attended as follows:— Mr. Ball,
8 (since election) ; Mr. Kelly, 7 ; Mr. Westropp, 7 (since election) ; Mr. Moore, 6 ;
Dr. Joyce, 6 ; Mr. Stubbs, 6 (since election) ; Mr. Cooke, 5 ; Lord Walter Fitz
Gerald, 5 ; Mr. Mills, 4 ; Mr. Molloy, 4 ; Count Plunkett, 4 ; the Rev. Mr. Barry, 0 ;
the Hon. Secretary, 10.
The Members who retire by rotation are — Mr. Cooke, Dr. Joyce, and Mr. Moore ;
and the Rev. Mr. Barry's seat has become vacant.
To fill the vacancies on the Council, the following have been nominated in
accordance with the Rules: — William Frazer, f.k.c.s.i., m.k.i.a., hon. p.s.a. (Scot.),
Fellow; Seaton F. Milligan, m.r.i. A., Fclloiv, Hon. Provincial Secretary, Ulster; W. Grove
White, ll.k. ; Richard Langrishe, f.r.i.a.i., Fellow ; George Coffey, b.a.i., m.k.i a.,
Felloiv; and the Rev. Canon Healy, ll.d., Hon. Local Secretary for North Meath.
Mr. Cochrane, after many years of labour, which has resulted in the Society taking
the leading position it now proudly occupies, has desired to be relieved from the
office of Honorary Treasurer. The Council cannot allow the opportunity to pass
without recording their full sense of the importance of the work done by Mr. Cochrane.
Most fortunately for the interests of the Society, Mr. Cochrane will still occupy the
position of Honorary General Secretary to the Society*
PROCEEDINGS.
83
Mr. F. Ellington Ball, m.u.i.a., Member of Council, has been duly nominated for
election as Hon. Treasurer.
Mr. John Cooke, m.a., and Mr. James G. Robertson have been re-nominated as
Auditors of the Treasurer's Accounts. The financial condition of the Society is satis-
factory, and the Auditors' Report will be brought forward in accordance with Rule 20
in due course.
The Society having entered on the Fiftieth year of its existence, the event Avas
celebrated by a Banquet held in the Antient Concert Rooms in Dublin, on Wednesday,
the 15th of June, to which a large number of invitations were issued to distinguished
persons and representatives of the more important kindred Societies. A full account
of the proceedings was published in the Journal for 1898, page 187. The arrangements
were satisfactorily carried out by a committee consisting of Dr. Wright, Vice-President,
Mr. Kelly, Mr. Ccoke, Mr. Westropp, Mr. Burtchaell, and Mr. Cochrane, Hon. Sec.
The usual Quarterly Meetings were held during the year, and were fully reported
in the Journal. The Summer Meeting was held in Ballina for the province of
Connaught, the arrnngements for which were carried out by the Right Rev.
Monsignor O'Hara, Hon. Secretary for North Mayo, in conjunction with the Hon.
General Secretary. The Members of the Society were hospitably entertained on the
occasion by the Earl and Countess of Arran.
The Council have entered into the possession of new premises at No. 6, St.
Stephen's-green, and have given up the rooms occupied for the last six years at No. 7.
In the new premises there is sufficient accommodation to hold the usual Meetings, and
provide for the Library and other property of the Society. Notice to surrender the
premises hitherto rented by the Society in Kilkenny has been given. In case the col-
lection of the objects of Antiquity can be adequately housed and cared for in Kilkenny,
the Council suggest that they should be fully empowered to make all the necessary
arrangements for the proper legal transfer of the collection, so far as the objects in it
may relate to the county or city of Kilkenny, to a local Committee. The collection
so transferred to be known for the future as " The Kilkenny Museum."
It is well known to all students of the Antiquities of Ireland that, on the passing of
The Church Act (Ireland), 137 of the Ancient Monuments of Ireland were vested in the
Board of Works (Ireland). Under the Ancient Monuments Acts of 1882 and 1892,
some 48 more became vested in the Board. Many matters of difficulty in connexion
with the preservation of these Monuments were constantly arising ; some of them
entailed subjects about which there was a great deal of controversy ; and there was a
very general notion abroad that it was desirable that some of the Irish Antiquaries
should be consulted before repairs or restorations were undertaken by the Commissioners
of the Board of Works to Irish Monuments. The Chairman of the Board of Works
proposed (1892) to your Society, and to the Royal Irish Academy, that each body should
appoint two representatives who, with a Commissioner of the Board of Works, should
be a Committee to meet monthly and consult with the Superintendent of Ancient
Monuments before any more Monuments were scheduled or repairs or restoration
effected on those at present scheduled. Fully alive to the importance of such a consul-
tative Committee, your Society at once selected their then President, Mr. Thomas Drew,
and Dr. E. P. Wright to represent your Society, while the Royal Irish Academy Com-
mittee selected Lord Walter Fitzgerald and the late Rev. Denis Murphy, s.j., as their
representatives. Since then Dr. La Touche has been selected to fill Mr. Drew's place,
who had resigned, and Mr. J. Ribton Garstin has been selected by the Royal Irish
Academy Committee to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the Rev. D. Murphy.
From reports made to your Council from time to time, they are inclined to think that,
as a Committee of Advice, this Committee fulfils a very useful part, and they have
reason to believe that every fair consideration has been given to the labours of the
Committee by the Commissioners. A list of the Monuments scheduled under the advice
of this Committee from their appointment up to this date is in preparation.
84 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
The Index for the Volumes of the Proceedings and Papers for the forty years,
1849-1889, is progressing, up to the letter ' K ' heing in type.
The Annual General Meeting has heen fixed for Tuesday, the 17th of January,
1899. Arrangements are being made to have a Midsummer Excursion to the Western
Islands of Scotland, in which the Cambrian Archaeological Association have arranged
to join.
The preliminary programme of this Excursion is appended.
The places of interest in Scotland to be visited are —
1. Sanda Island— Cross and St. Ninian's Church (see Captain White's
" Archaeological Sketches in Kintyre and Knapdale ").
2. Kildalton Crosses and Church, Island of Islay, seven miles from Port
Ellen (see R. C. Graham's " Sculptured Stones of Islay").
3. Passing up the Sound of Islay to Oronsay,1 to see the Priory, Monu-
ments, Inscribed Stones, and Crosses (see Mac Gibbon and Ross,
" Ecclesiastical Architecture of Scotland ").
4. Crossing the Firth of Lorn, and passing up the Sound of Iona, the
well-known Crosses and Ecclesiastical remains at Iona, west of the
Island of Mull, will be visited.
5. Sailing north-west, the unique ecclesiastical remains on the Island
of Tiree will be visited, and a landing may be made on the Island
of Coll.
6. Passing west of Rum Island, the Island of Canna will be visited, to
see the Ancient Cross (depicted in Stuart's " Sculptured Stones
of Scotland"). At Canna there is a fine natural harbour.
7. Sailing up Little Minch into Dun vegan Loch, Isle of Skye, the
Town and Castle of Dun vegan will be seen ; the latter is the
residence of The M'Leod of M'Leod ; a portion of the house was
built in the 9th century.
8. Crossing Little Minch to the Outer Hebrides, Rodil in Harris will be
seen (Church with curious Sculptures).
9. Passing through the Sound of Harris, and sailing north, the next
call will be at Callernisb, on the Island of Lewis — Stone Circles.
10. Dun Carloway Pictish Tower, on the north-west of Lewis Island,
six miles north of Callernish.
1 1 . Flannan Isles ancient bee-hive Oratory : North Rona and Sula
Sgeir, in the North Atlantic, early Christian Oratories (see Dr.
Joseph Anderson's "Scotland in Early Christian Times"; Muir's
" Ecclesiological Architecture"; and Mac Gibbon and Ross,
"Ecclesiastical Architecture of Scotland").
12. The Stone Circles of Stennis, near Stromness, Maeshowe, and
Kirkwall Cathedral, Orkney, will next be visited (see J. R.
Tudor's "Orkney and Shetland"; Sir H. Dryden's "Kirkwall
Cathedral"; and Farrer's "Maeshowe").
South of Oronsay the water is not very deep, and landing involves a long row.
PROCEEDINGS.
85
13. Sailing south to Keiss Bay, Caithness, the ancient Brochs, or Pictish
Towers, now under investigation by Sir Francis Tress Barry,
Bart., m.p., Keiss Castle, will, by his kind permission, be visited.
14. In the return journey, passing down Sleat Sound, round Ardna-
murchan Point, and through the Sound of Mull, Eilean Mor, in
the Sound of Jura, at the mouth of Loch Swine, will be visited
(Cross and Stone-roofed Church).
15. Sailing south through the Sound of Jura, the party will visit Gigha
Island, off the west coast of Kintyre, to see a reputed Ogam-
stone, the only one ever heard of in the west of Scotland ; after
which the steamer will return to Belfast.
The steamer will leave Donegall-quay, Belfast (opposite the office of
the Belfast S.S. Company), on Tuesday morning, June 20th, at 10.30,
returning on Wednesday, June 28th, at 10 o'clock, a.m. ; and the sea
Excursion will, it is contemplated, occupy eight days.
An illustrated programme and map of the routes are in course of
preparation.
These arrangements have been approved of by the Council of the
Society, subject to such modifications as the Hon. Gen. Sec. may find
necessary or desirable.
This Excursion has been undertaken at the request of some of the
leading Archaeologists of the United Kingdom (Members of this Society),
to enable places and objects of great Antiquarian interest to be visited,
otherwise inaccessible except at considerable expense, and a good deal
of inconvenience.
The Directors of the Belfast Steamship Company have consented to give, for
the use of the party, their favourite Express Passenger new twin-screw steamer
"Magic" commanded by Captain Dunlop, accompanied by the Manager of the
Steamship Company, James M'Dowell, Esq.
The S.S. " Magic" was built by Messrs. Harland & Wolff in 1893; gross
tonnage, 1640 tons; length, 322 feet ; breadth of beam, 39 feet; and is fitted up
with large and well -ventilated State Rooms, Dining Saloon, Smoke Eoom,
Promenade Deck, Bath Room, &c, and has electric light throughout. The
catering will be done by the Steamship Company, comprising first-class cuisine
— breakfast, lunch, dinner, and tea.
The Lifeboats of the Steamer (eight in number) will be available for landing
the party.
The "Magic" has accommodation for 220 first-class passengers in berths,
but it is proposed to limit the number to 120, for the greater comfort of the party
and to avoid crowding.
Tickets will be issued by the Belfast Steamship Company at £10
each, but the application for same must be made to the Hon. General
Secretary, or the Hon. Provincial Secretary, accompanied by a remit-
tance of the amount, or a deposit of £5, not later than 11th April,
next, on which date the list for Members' applications will close.
86 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
The dates and places of the Meetings for the year 1899 are as
follows : —
Annual General Meeting, 17th January, . . . Dublin.
Evening Meetings, 28th Feb. and 28th March, . Dublin.
General Meeting for 2nd Quarter, 11th April,* . Dublin.
General Meeting for 3rd Quarter, 16th August,* Belfast.
General Meeting for 4th Quarter, 10th October,* Kilkenny.
Evening Meetings, 31st Oct. and 28th Nov., . . Dublin.
The Report was unanimously adopted, and it was proposed, seconded,
and passed by acclamation : —
" That the thanks and gratitude of the Society are due to Mr. Cochrane
for the admirable manner in which he has carried out the duties of Honorary
Treasurer."
The Chairman then declared the following Honorary Officers duly
elected : —
Vice -Peesidents —
For Leinster,
For Ulster,
For Munster,
For Connaught, .
Hon. Treasures —
Auditors —
Lord Walter Fitz Gerald, m.r.i.a.
The Rev. George R. Buick, m.a., ll.d., m.r.i.a.
The Rev. Edmond Barry, r.p., m.r.i.a.
The Most Rev. John Healy, d.d., ll.d., m.r.i.a.
Bishop of Clonfert.
F. Elrington Ball, m.r.i.a.
John Cooke, m.a.
James G. Robertson.
Mr. "Westropp and Mr. Dix were appointed Scrutineers of the Ballot
for Members of Council.
Names removed from the Roll in 1898 : —
Deceased (31).
Fellows (7). — Lord Carlingford, k.p., m.r.i.a., Member, 1857; Fellow, 1888;
Vice-President, 1888-1889 ; the Earl of Desart, 1872 ; Lavens Mathewson Ewart,
m.r.i.a. , 1891; Vice- President, 1892-97; Harold Frederic, 1898; Herbert Webb
Gillman, k.a., Member, 1891; Fellow, 1897; Sir Stuart Knill, Bart., ll.d., 1872;
the Rev. Samuel Martin Mayhew, f.s.a. (Scot.), 1890.
Hon. Fellow (1).— Sir John T. Gilbert, ll.d., f.s.a., m.r.i.a., r.h.a., 1891.
Members (23).— Thomas Barnewall, 1893; John Bernal, 1889; Maria, Lady
Chapman, 1893; M. Edward Conway, 1855; Laurence Doyle, b.l., 1869; Rev.
John Elliott, 1884 ; Samuel Gordon, m.d., 1890 ; J. J. Griffin, m.d., 1897; John P.
Hartford, 1890; Rev. Alfred T. Harvey, m.a., 1891; Rev. R. R. Kane, ll.d.,
1892; Rev. William Kilbride, m.a., 1868; George Liston, 1S94; Very Rev. Edward
* Excursions will be arranged in connexion with these Meetings.
PROCEEDINGS.
87
William M'Kenna, p.p., v.f., 1892; John M'Loughlin, 1890; Rev. John Madden,
c.c, 1890 ; Thomas Mathews, 1890 ; Thomas Griffin O'Donoghue, 1894 ; Dr. Edward
P. O'Farrell, 1892; Rev. Professor Stokes, d.d., m.r.i.a., 1887; Wm. Geo. Strype,
m. inst. c.e.j 1898; Mrs. Thompson (Miss Butler), 1891; William Richard Wade,
1896.
Resigned (12).
Members (12).— Major H. G. S. Alexander, 1896 ; F. J. Beckley, b.a., 1892 ; Mrs.
Bennet, 1896; Chetwood H. Bowen, 1896; James W. Crawford, 1890; Rev. John
II . Davidson, m.a., 1894; D. Griffith Davies, b.a., 1894; Henry P. Goodbody,
1897; Miss Goodbody, 1897 ; Rev. John Prendergast, c.c, 1890; William Ring-
wood, 1893; William Russell, 1897.
The following Fellow (1) and Members (14) have been taken off the
Roll, owing, at the commencement of the year 1898, upwards of two
years' arrears : —
Fellow (1).— W. H. Upton, 1892, £3.
Members (14). — Very Rev. J. A. Anderson, o.s.a., 1891, £1 ; W. J. Fitz Gerald,
1892, £1; J. A. Hanna, 1887, £1; Rev. J. 0. Hannay, m.a., 1891, £1; H. A.
Hinkson, m.a., 1892, £1 ; William Irwin, 1892, £1 ; W. G. Jefferson, m.a., 1894,
£1 ; Rev. Edward Lavell, c.c, 1893, £1 ; Joseph Molloy, 1890, £1 ; Rev. Joseph
Moorhead, b.a., 1895, £1 ; W. P. O'Neill, m.k.i.a., 1891, £1; Michael B. Stokes,
1895, £1 ; Charles F. Walker, 1895, £1 ; Rev. T. J. Whitty, c.c, 1889, £1.
The following Publications were received during the year 1898 : —
American Antiquarian Society, New Ser., vol. xii., Parts 1, 2. Anthropological
Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, vol. xxvii., Nos. 3, 4 ; New Ser., vol. i., Nos.
2, 3. L' Anthropologic, vol. ix., Nos. 1-6. Belfast Naturalists' Field Club, 1897-
1898, Proceedings, vol. iv., Series 2. Bristol and Gloucester Archaeological Society,
xx., Part 2, Programmes ; Gloucestershire Records, 2 ; Catalogue of Books. British
Archaeological Association, Journal, vol. iv., Parts 2-4. British and American
Archaeological Society of Rome, vol. iv., New Series, Parts 1, 2. Bulletin of
Museum of Science, Philadelphia. Bulletin of Free Museum of Science, Penn-
sylvania. Cambrian Archaeological Association, Archaeologia Cambrensis, Parts 57,
58, 60, 61. Cambridge Antiquarian Society, Proceedings, vol. xxxix., No. 3 ; List
of Members. Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, Journal, vol. iv., Ser. 2,
Nos. 37-39. Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club, vol. xviii. Hon.
Society of Cymmrodorion, Transactions, 1896-1897. Geological Surveys, U.S.A.,
Bulletins and Monographs, vols, xxv-xxviii., and Atlas. Ditto for Canada, 1898. His-
torical State Society of Wisconsin, Proceedings, 45 ; Growth of Society, &c. Institute
of Civil Engineers of Ireland, vol. xxvi., 1897. Kildare Archaeological Society,
vol. 4, Nos. 5-7. Numismatic Society, Journal, Ser. 3, Nos. 69, 70, 72. Revue
Celtique, vol. xix., Nos. 1-4. Royal Archaeological Institute of Great Britain and
Ireland, Ser. 2, vol. iv., No. 216 ; vol. v., Nos. 1-3. Royal Institute of British
Architects, vol. v., Ser. 3, Parts 6-10, 11-15, 16-20 ; vol. vi., Parts 1-5 ; Kalendar,
1898-1899. Royal Institute of Cornwall, vol. xiii., Part 2. Royal Irish Academy,
Proceedings, vols, v.-x., Ser. 2; vol. i., Parts 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12; vol. ii.,
Parts 1-8, Ser. 3 ; vol. ii., Parts 1, 2 (being all back volumes relating to archaeology ;
Ser. 3, vol. iv., No. 5. Smithsonian Institution, Bureau of Ethnology, 1891-1892,
1894-1895. Societe d'Archeologie de Bruxelles, tome ix. ; tome xii., liv. i., 2-4,
Societe Royale des Antiquaires du Nord, Memoires Nouvelle Serie. Aarboger for
Nordisk Oldkindighed, 1897-1898. Society of Antiquaries of London, Ser, 2,
88
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
vol. xvii., No. 1. Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Archaeologia
Aeliana, vol. xix. ; Proceedings, vol. viii., 1898, and Programmes. Society of
Antiquaries of Scotland, Proceedings, vol. vii., Ser. 3. Society of Architects,
Journal, New Ser., vol. v, Nos. 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 ; vol. vi., Nos. 1, 3. Society
of Biblical Archaeology, vol. xx., Parts 1-8. Somersetshire Archaeological and
Natural History Society, Proceedings, vol. xliii., 1897. Suffolk Institute of Archae-
ology and Natural History, vol. ix., Part 3. Surrey Archaeological Society, vol. xiv.,
Part 1. Wiltshire Archaeological Society, vol. xxx., Parts lxxxix.— xc. Yorkshire
Archaeological Journal, vol. xiv., Part 4; vol. xv., Parts 1, 2. The Antiquary
for 1898. Folk-Lore, viii., 3; ix., 1 and 3. The Irish Builder for 1898. Scot-
tish Brochs their Age and Destruction (J. "W. Cursitor, the Author). Napoli
Nohilissima ; Revista de la Asociacion Artistico-Arqueologica Barcelona (Cavaliere
Salazar). Devenish, Lough Erne (Rev. J. E. MacKenna, the Author). The
Coinage of Scotland, 3 vols. — Edward Burns, f.s.a. (Messrs. Adam and Charles
Black). History of Mills and Milling (Richard Bennett, the Author). Excavations
at Kesserlock, Conrad Merk ; Antiquities of South America, "W. Bollaert ; Monumens
Celtiques, M. Camhry (W. E. Kelly). Royal Societies' Club, Report and Member
List. Gaelic League Publications, Introduction to Keating's History (Messrs.
M. H. Gill). The Reliquary for 1898. The permanent Photographs received during
the year appear in a separate report at p. 61, antea. — T J. W.
The Meeting then adjourned to 8 o'clock, p.m.
Evening Meeting.
The Society met in the Society's Rooms, at 8 o'clock, p.m.;
The Right Hon. O'Conor Don, ll.d., m.r.i.a., President,
in the Chair.
The President said he did not think he could preside at this their
first meeting in their own rooms without congratulating them upon
the fact that they were no longer wanderers seeking the hospitality of
generous kindred societies. They had now at length a habitation and
a home which they could call their own ; and he thought that any of
them who had gone through the premises, which they had been fortu-
nate enough to secure, would agree with him in thinking that the
Council and their Secretary acted very wisely in immediately taking
advantage of the offer made to them of rooms which he must say were
admirably adapted to their purposes. They had now a fixed abode and
a fixed habitation of which as a Society he thought they need not be
ashamed; and the best of it was he had been informed that the pre-
mises had been secured without any considerable immediate expense, and
without adding substantially to any of their annual liabilities. He there-
fore thought that the thanks of the meeting were due to their officers
who had secured these premises with their corresponding advantages at
such little cost. The year that had just passed f.iad been a memorable
one in their annals. During it they had celebrated their Jubilee, and
PROCEEDINGS.
89
they were now entering upon what he hoped would be a new career of
increasing utility in a new home surrounded by so many of their old
friends and supporters (applause). On the other hand, as in all things
human, they had many losses to deplore. They could not help feeling
the void that had been caused by the death of many valued members and
dear personal friends. Amongst those whose loss would, perhaps, be
most felt by the society was that of Dr. Stokes. He was a familiar figure
at almost all their meetings, and his pen had enriched their journals with
many historical descriptive pieces, contributed, almost every year, since
he was elected. They had also lost Sir John Gilbert, whose name would
ever be associated with those who devoted their lives to diligent and
careful research amongst the records of their country. They had also to
deplore the loss of Lord Carlingford, the Earl of Desart, and Sir Stuart
Knill who, although an Englishman, took the deepest interest in Irish
archseological lore. He need not dwell on the other losses they had sus-
tained. The names in the obituary list were familiar to most of them.
They had a considerable amount of business to get through, and he would
not detain them longer, but would conclude by expressing the hope
that the Society might, year by year, increase in prosperity and utility
until it had accomplished all the objects for which it had been founded.
Mr. Bigger exhibited a photograph of a portrait of Hugh O'Neill,
Baron Dungannon, son of the Earl O'Neill, who was buried in Borne in
1604.
Mr. Thomas Plunkett, m.r.i.a., Enniskillen, Hon. Local Secretary for
Fermanagh, exhibited and described a very fine well-formed bronze
sword, 25£ inches long, which was found in a shallow bay last summer
during low water near the old castle of Crom, on the shore of upper Lough
Erne, about three miles from Newtownbutler. He described other bronze
swords, daggers, celts, &c, that he secured during the drainage opera-
tions a few years ago. When a cutting was being made through a ford in
the lake at Eastbridge, Enniskillen, a great number of stone implements
were unearthed, which came into his possession. Lough Erne traverses the
centre of Eermanagh, and runs in a north-westerly direction to the sea,
and must have been a great highway during both the Stone and Bronze
Ages ; and the number of stone and bronze weapons lately found in
its fords and on its shores clearly shows that it has been the scene of
many a conflict between tribes who lived in the Neolithic Period, as
well as those who lived in the Bronze Age. Mr. Plunkett also exhibited
a portion of a bronze sword mould which was found on the surface of an
ancient crannoge associated with rude huts which were found at a depth
of 21 feet underneath peat.
The Bev. G. Otway "Woodward, m.a., exhibited an earthenware
Chafing-dish of the last century.
JOUK. R.S.A.I., VOL. IX., PT. I., 5TH SEE, . H
90
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
The Scrutineers having handed in their Report of the result of the
Ballot, the President declared the following duly elected : —
Members of Council :
"William Frazeu, f.r.c.s.t., m.r.i.a., hon. f.s.a. (Scot.), Fellow.
Richakd Langrishe, f.r.i. a. i., Fellow.
The Rev. Canon Healy, ll.d.
Seaton F. Milligan, m.r.i.a., Fellow.
The following Papers were read (illustrated with lantern slides) >
and referred to the Council : —
" The Antiquities of Fore, Co. "Westineath," by Francis Joseph Bigger, m.r.i.a.,.
Fellow.
" A Fortified Stone Lake-Dwelling in Lough Cullen, Co. Mayo " (communicated by
Edgar L. Layard, c.m.g.), by the Rev. J. F. M. ffrench, m.r.i.a., Vice-
President.
The Society then adjourned to Tuesday, 28th February, 1899.
An Evening Meeting was held in the Society's Rooms on Tuesday,.
28th February, at 8 o'clock, p.m. ;
The Rev. Canon J. F. M. ffrench, m.e.i.a., Vice-President,
in the Chair.
A Paper was read by Mr. Thomas Drew, k.h.a., Vice-President,
entitled — "A further Note on the Surroundings of St. Patrick's de
Insula, the restoration of the North Close, 1899, and the possibility of
the recovery of the ancient Well of St. Patrick." Before reading the
Paper, Mr. Drew referred to the ancient history of the cathedral, and
pointed out that even now careful observation would reveal ancient
stones and interlaced Celtic ornamentation, which was undoubtedly
anterior even to the ancient period of 1190. Touching upon the ancient
Well of St. Patrick in " St. Patrick' s-lane," he showed its traditional
position to be near Morrison's Hotel, in Nassau -street, near the Provost's
Garden, a spot now covered by the hackneycar-drivers' stand. In the
course of an imaginary walk from this spot to the Well of St. Patrick in
the Coombe some interesting facts relative to Old Dublin were given.
He advised those who wished to study the matter to read Gilbert's " His-
tory of Dublin," and also the numerous interesting archaeological book
treasures which were stored in the library of Christ Church Cathedral.
Incidentally he pointed out that ancient Dublin was 8 feet below the
present surface. In some places it was 6 feet, and in some 13, but in
every instance where the original strata and foundations could be seen
they would prove interesting and of practical use, not only from an
archaeological but from a geological point of view. He pointed out that a
PROCEEDINGS.
91
rivulet existed across Grafton-street, and the undermining of the soil by-
its course was, some time ago, the cause of a well-remembered event, when
the front of Mr. Brunker's, the jeweller's shop, fell into the street. He
regretted that so many interesting records had been lost by the ignorance
or neglect of rectors and church- wardens of the past, and contrasted their
action with the action of similar officials elsewhere, who endeavoured to
preserve the ancient names, which often formed an important clue to the
tracing of the real history. As an instance of the craze for cutting things
short, he mentioned that St. Andrew's Church was originally St. Andrew
Thingmote. This Thingmote of the Danes was in close proximity, and
on it were given the Danish laws of the country ; the hill was levelled
to fill up St. Patrick's-lane, and make what was now Nassau and the
adjoining streets. In dealing with ancient Dame-street, then a narrow
lane, he referred to the King William statue, and mentioned that though
it was nowadays ascribed to Yan Haust, it was said to be the work of
Grinling Gibbons, although it was found among work ascribed to this world-
famed artist, which, if he had executed it all, would have made him exist
from the fourteenth century to the nineteenth. He further pointed out the
sacrilegious use to which the crypts of Christchurch were put about the
period of 1710 by being used for ale-shops and taverns of the vilest
character. On the top of the hill near Nicholas- street stood the old town
hall, the only portion preserved being the two statues which stood in the
niches above the door, and which were now in Christchurch Cathedral.
It was a singular fact that the foundations in this particular neighbour-
hood, though it was so high, were worse than in other parts of Dublin,
owing to the boggy nature of the ground. The locality formerly had a
name meaning the "Hazel Bidge," and he had seen whole cartloads of
hazel nuts thrown up in the course of excavations, proving that hazel
grew plentifully at one time in that particular neighbourhood. Passing
on to the Coombe he pointed out how in those days, owing to titular
authorities leasing out the grounds allotted to them near the cathedral
to poor persons, the ground became filled with wretched shops and
dwellings which were built close up to the church, and he spoke with
pleasure of the effort which is to be made by one of Dublin's greatest
citizens to remove the present-day congestion, and restore to the
ancient cathedral some of its early, fair, and salubrious surroundings.
He pointed out that in early Dublin the cathedral was in the centre of a
little city fortified in itself, the surrounding walls having four towers,
one of which was called St. Patrick's, and was the principal one.
Finally he referred to the particular spot near the foot of the cathedral
tower at which it was believed the ancient "Well of St. Patrick's would
be found. Mr. Drew then read his Paper, which was referred to the
Council for publication. (It is printed at p. 1, ante.)
The Meeting was then adjourned to 28th March.
92
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
An Evening Meeting was held in the Society's Rooms on Tuesday,
28th March, at 8 o'clock, -p.m. ;
Me. Thohas Drew, r.h.a., Vice-President, in the Chair.
The following Papers were read, and referred to the Council for
publication : —
"A Communication on the Palaeolithic Period, with Evidences of the Antiquity of
Man" (Illustrated hy Lantern Slides), by Geo. Coffey, b.e., m.r.i.a.
" Tallaght, Co. Dublin, and some places in its Neighbourhood" (to be visited by
the Society on the 13th of April next). Illustrated by Lantern Slides, by
F. Elrington Ball, m.k.i.a.
The following Papers were taken as read, and referred to the
Council for publication: —
"Notes on Crannog and other Finds in Co. Wexford," by Sir Thomas Grattan
Esmonde, Bart., m.p.
" The Monuments at Clonmacnoise," by R. A. S. Macalister, m.a.
"The Cryptic Element alleged to exist in Ogham Inscriptions," by R. A. S.
Macalister, m.a.
Kilmakilloge, Co. Kerry," by Miss Hickson, Hon. Local Secretary, Kerry North.
The Society then adjourned to 12th April, 1899.
THE JOURNAL
OF
THE KOYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES
OF IRELAND,
FOR THE YEAR 1899.
PAPERS AND PROCEEDINGS— PART II. SECOND QUARTER, 1899.
papers*
DESCRIPTIVE SKETCH OF CLONDALKIN, TALLAGHT, AND
OTHER PLACES IN WEST COUNTY DUBLIN.
BY F. ELRINGTON BALL, M.R.I.A., Fellow.
[Read March 28, 1899.]
T eavinGt Dublin by the South Circular -road, Dolphin's Barn is first
passed through. This district, originally called Karnanclone-
gunethe, probably derived its present name, which was used so early as
the year 1396, from some member of the Dolphin family, then well
known in Dublin. Near here Strongbow and Dermot are said to have
entrenched themselves before they attacked Dublin.1
Crossing the Grand Canal by Caniac Bridge, so called from one of the
directors of the Canal Company in 1791, the highway, once the mail-
coach road to Limerick and Cork, is followed for about a mile, until we
come to a road on the left leading to the village of
Ckumlist,
or Cruimghlinn, the curved glen. The only object of interest here is the
tower of the church, on which there is a well-carved skull, and a tablet,
with the words, " How dreadful is this place ; none other is the house of
God, and this is the gate of Heaven." It contains a narrow spiral
staircase and two rooms ; in one of these latter there are the fragments
of a tombstone said to have been erected to the memory of one of Queen
1 See M'Cready's " Dublin Street Barnes," and D'Alton's " History of the County
Dublin," to which the writer is indebted for much of the information in this Paper.
JOUR. U.S. A. I., VOL IX., PT. II., OTH SF,U. I
94
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Anne's waiting-women. Inscriptions on the gate-piers record that the
church, which is dedicated to St. Mary, was rebuilt in 1817, and that
the walls of the churchyard were rebuilt in 1725, and repaired one hun-
dred years later.1 It is interesting to note that the rector, in 1725, was
the Eev. Roger Ford,2 and that at the beginning of the present century
a namesake, and no doubt a descendant, of his held the rectory.
The manor of Crumlin, together with the manors of Newcastle, Sag-
gart, and Esker, was annexed to the Crown, and was called King's land.
The tenants had to pay a higher rent — 9d. per acre — than those on the
other royal manors, because, on one occasion, " the lobbish and desperat
clobberiousnesse," i.e. unwashed rabble, smote the Seneschal on the head
and left him for dead, on his endeavouring to collect the rent. In the
centuries immediately succeeding the Norman conquest, Crumlin was a
place of some importance, and was the cognomen of a family, members of
which filled various public positions.3 The town was walled in and pos-
sessed a provost and other officials. In the church, which was given by
King John to the economy fund of the collegiate church of St. Patrick,
service was regularly performed, and we find a pious parishioner, in the
fifteenth century, leaving money for the support of the three lights of the
church of St. Mary the Virgin of Crumlin, and for regilding the chalice.4
Besides the Crown, the Priory of the Holy Trinity owned land at Crumlin,
including a wood called " Gifford's grove," and land known as the "corn
mill" and " Kevin's farm."5 In the sixteenth century the manor of
Crumlin became of all others " the worst and most wasted," owing to the
incursions of the Wicklow tribes ; and in 1594 the town was plundered
and burnt by a band of insurgents under the leadership of Walter Reagh
FitzGerald.6 They carried away the lead with which the church was
roofed, and although the blaze of the burning town was seen from
Dublin, and they were pursued by a troop of horse, they escaped.
Cromwell is said to have encamped near Crumlin, and King William
did so after the battle of the Boyne, several of his proclamations being-
dated from that village.
In the last century the commons of Crumlin, now enclosed, were
famous for horse races held on them ; and the "great house " had several
distinguished occupants, including Chief Baron Deane,7 who only lived
1 See description of Crumlin Church by James R. Fowler, in "Journal of the
Memorials of the Dead," vol. ii., p. 287.
2 He kept a school in Moles worth -street, and Rohert Jephson and Edmund Malone
were educated by him. See Gilbert's "History of Dublin," vol. iii., p. 262.
3 Adam de Crumlin was in the 13th century Sheriff both of Dublin and of Meath.
See Sweetman's "Calendar of Documents relating to Ireland," 1293-1301 passim.
4 See Berry's "Register of the Diocese of Dublin in the time of Tregury and
AValton," p. 150.
5 " Calendar of Christ Church Deeds."
6 See the Journal for 1898, p. 303.
7 He married a sister of Henry Boyle, 1st Earl of Shannon, and had five daughters
who all made great matches. See Burke's " Landed Gentry," ed. 1847, p. 446.
CLONDALKIN, TALLAGHT, ETC., WEST CO. DUBLIN. 95
some months after his appointment, on the accession of George I., to the
chief seat in the Exchequer, the Hon. Captain Allen, father of the fourth
and fifth Viscounts Allen,1 Philip Walsh, an eminent King's counsel, who
was engaged for the plaintiff in the great Annesley peerage case, and
Lord Lisle, who married a daughter of Chief Baron Deane.2
Resuming our way along the main road, we come to the
Castle of Deimnagh,
or, Druimneach, the ridged lands, as this district was called from the
sand ridges, now known
as the Green Hills. Mr.
Dix has described it in
his articles on " The Les-
ser Castles of the County
Dublin
Builder, and says it is
an oblong castle of the
A 1 1 glo - Norman p eriod,
with a battlemented roof.
It contains three stories,
Drimnagh. Castle.
and underneath them there is a high arched way through which a laden
cart could pass. On the side of the castle next the road there is a turret
which contained the stairs, and a chimney-flue supported on corbels. On
the side furthest from the road, against which a substantial house has
^See the Journal for 1898, p. 28, note 1.
2 Faulkner'1 s Dublin Journal, April 21-25, 1752 ; and Pue's Occurrences, March. 2-5,
1765.
I 2
96 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
been built, there is another turret.1 As D' Alton mentions, traces of its
once broad and deep fosse are still visible. There are several outbuild-
ings, more or less ancient, and a little distance off in the direction of a
neighbouring paper mill, are the ruins of a small square tower, which
can be seen from the glen close by. It is from this glen Crumlin is
supposed to take its name.
The castle of Drimnagh came into the possession of the great family
of Barnewall at the commencement of the thirteenth century. They
built the castle, and for upwards of four centuries it was occupied by
members of the family. In the beginning of the seventeenth century it
was leased to Sir Adam Loftus, a nephew of Archbishop Loftus, who was
afterwards appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and created Viscount
Loftus of Ely. It was alleged that he endeavoured to deprive the
rightful owner of his inheritance, and proceedings were taken to pre-
vent his felling the trees, with which the castle was then surrounded.
During the Civil War, the Duke of Ormonde, impressed by the solidity
and strength of the castle, had some idea, before the battle of Rath-
mines, of erecting fortifications around it, and of making it his head-
quarters. My friend, Mr. Stubbs, tells me it was subsequently occupied
by Colonel Nicholas Walker, a Cromwellian officer, who is stated to
have been on the scaffold at the execution of Charles I., with a vizor
concealing his features, and who retired to reside here after the Resto-
ration. In the Hearth Money Returns for 1664, " Lt.-Col. " is
returned as the occupier, and there are stated to be three " smoaks " or
chimneys.
Proceeding on by Mount St. Joseph's Monastery, we arrive at the
village of
Clondalkin,
or Cluain Dolcain, Dolcan's Meadow. It is remarkable as the site of one
of the four round towers, still to be seen in the county Dublin. This
tower stands near the present church, and the ruins of an ancient one, but
is now separated from them by the high road. It differs from most
other round towers in a singular projecting base which is generally sup-
posed to be of modern construction, but which Dr. Petrie considered to
be part of the original design. He says that the towers at Roscarbery,
in Cork, and Brunless in Brecknockshire have similar bases. The base
is nearly thirteen feet in height, and composed in great part of solid
masonry. Above the base, Dr. Petrie says, the tower measures forty-
five feet in circumference, and with the exception of the chiselled stones
round its doorway, it is altogether constructed of common rubble masonry
of the calp limestone of the district. It is eighty-four feet in height, and
the walls are upwards of three feet thick. About fifteen feet from the
ground is the door, which has inclining jambs. Towards the top. which
1 See Irish Builder for 1897, p. 4 9.
CLONDALKIN, TALLAGHT, ETC., WEST CO. DUBLIN. 97
is terminated by a conic covering, are four small quadrangular apertures.
The tower can be ascended inside by means of ladders.
Ko traces of the original church remain ; the ruins, Dr. Petrie con-
sidered, were the remains of a church of some architectural importance,
and he formed the opinion, from drawings made in 1780, when it was
more perfect than in his time, that it was a structure of the thirteenth
century.1. In the churchyard there is a large cross of granite without
ornament, 9 feet in height, and made of a single stone ; also a small
one, apparently much older, and a curious font, of great size, made of
rough granite.
On the left-hand side of the road, as we enter Clondalkin, in the
grounds of a place called Floraville, there is a small battlemented tower.
Mr. Dix says it is about 1 1 feet square, and contained two stories. In
the side facing the road there are three windows, and between the two
highest a head carved in stone is to be seen ; on the other side there
are modern buildings in which remains of an old castle can be traced.
It is known to some of the inhabitants as Tully's Castle.2
The ancient church of Clondalkin owed its origin to St. Mochua, alias
St. Machotus, who established a monastery at that place. Subsequently,
Clondalkin became a place of great celebrity, and the head of the
religious house was a bishop or chorepiscopus. During the Danish inva-
sion it was one of their settlements, and at Dun-Awley, as it was called
by them, Aulaff, the Danish King of Dublin built a fortress which was
burned by the Irish. In 1171 the native forces under Boderic O'Connor
advanced to this neighbourhood with the intention of attacking Dublin,
but after skirmishing with the English invaders for some days they with-
drew. The church of Clondalkin was confirmed by King John to the
See of Dublin, and was subsequently annexed by the Archbishop to the
Deanery of St. Patrick's. Amongst the principal tenants were the Neill
family whose name is still preserved in one of the townlands. Though
"mere Irish" they occupied the unusual position of being free tenants,
and had not to render any service to the lord of the manor ; also they
were given power to use English laws. Erom the will of William Neill of
Clondalkin made in 1471, it appears that he was a man of substance, a
tanner by trade, and that his son, to whom he leaves his tan-house, was
in holy orders. He bequeaths to the parish church for the purchase of
a prayer-book or book of lessons 40s. ; also to the altar of St. Mary a
chalice weighing sixteen ounces, to the altar of St. Bridgid 6s. 8d., and
1 Petrie's "Essay on the Pound Towers of Ireland," p. 393 ; and "Post Chaise
Companion of Ireland." One of the drawings to which Dr. Petrie refers is probably
a picture by T. Archdeacon made about that time. There is a copy of it in a collection
of drawings by Gabriel Beranger preserved in the Royal Irish Academy. The follow-
ing note is appended : — " East view of Clondalkin Church. These old remains were
demolished by the blowing up of the powder-mills in their neighbourhood sometime
after the drawing was taken."
2 See Irish Builder for 1898, p. 57.
98
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
to the altar of St. Thomas the same sum, for the maintenance of the
lights.1
In the sixteenth century Clondalkin was accounted one of the walled
and good towns of the county. At the beginning of the next century
Daniel Molyneux, Ulster King-at-Arms, grandfather of the famous phi-
losopher, and of the well-known physician and antiquary, purchased an
estate there. Towards the close of the last century it was the scene of
a most tremendous explosion thus described in JExshawys Magazine under
the date 25th April, 1787 :—
" This afternoon the powder-mills at Clondalken, belonging to Counsellor Cald-
beck, by some unknown accident blew up. Two men, who were at work in the mill,
were destroyed, and many of the neighbouring houses greatly shattered ; it also
occasioned the sudden fall of a stack of chimnies near Meeting-house Yard [on
Usher' s-quay], but fortunately no accident occurred in consequence of the same.
The explosion was severely felt in the most distant parts of the county, and even in
the county of Kildare, for some miles, near the bank of the canal."
There were 260 barrels of powder in the mill, and it is said the whole
building was torn up from its foundations, and that ponderous ruins tons
in weight were cast to the distance of five or six fields.
Setting out from Clondalkin by the road to Tallaght we pass by
Newlands. There, at the beginning of this century, resided Arthur
"Wolfe, Lord Kilwarden, and from thence he set out on that ill-fated
night in July, 1803, to meet his death at the hands of the rebels in
Thomas-street. Afterwards it was occupied by the Right Hon. George
Ponsonby while Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Adjoining Newlands is
Belgard Castle,
now a modern house, the residence of the late Sir Henry Lawrence, Bart.,
but once a strongly fortified dwelling. It was deemed one of the most
important castles on the border of the Pale, and often served to pro-
tect the surrounding country from the incursions of the O'Byrnes and
O'Tooles. It was one of the seats of the Talbots — a family of great
renown amongst the English settlers — and there, D'Alton says, the faith-
ful follower of James I., Richard Talbot, Earl of Tyrconnel, was born.
It descended in the female line to the Dillon family, and then to the
Trant family. Towards the close of the last century the ancient castle
fell into ruins, and the moat which surrounded it was filled up.
Not far off is the
Castle of Ballymotjnt,
or Baile Mota, the town of the moat, which is locally supposed to have
been connected with Belgard by an underground passage. Gabriel
Beranger, when making sketches of Ballymount, explored a passage
1 See Sweetman's "Calendar of Documents relating to Ireland," 1305; the
Journal for 1890, p. 56 ; and Berry's " Kegister of the Diocese of Dublin," pp. 94,
220.
CLONDALKIN, TALLAGHT, ETC., WEST CO. DUBLIN. 99
which starts from near the castle, and which gives rise to this idea, for
a considerable length. He formed the opinion that it was an aqueduct
for supplying the fortress with water; he found that it had several
branches, and that it was built of stone then in good preservation.1 Bal-
ly mount Castle has been converted into a farmhouse and offices, but a
tower which stands across the lane leading to the farmstead, and which,
as it is arched, was probably the entrance gateway of the castle, is
still nearly perfect. Mr. Dix and Mr. Briley have given a most ex-
haustive description of the place in the Irish Builder, and have traced
many remains of the old castle in the farm offices. The mota consisting
of two mounds, surmounted by the remains of a watch-tower or fort, is
to be found in the field at the top of the lane.2
We come next to the village of
Tallaght,
a place which bears few traces of its antiquity and former greatness, as the
site of a religious house in very early times, and as the chief seat of the
Archbishops of Dublin for five centuries. Tallaght, or Taimhleacht, the
plague-monument, is said to derive its name from being the burial-place
of the first colonists of our country, of whom 9000 were carried off by
plague in one week. There is no doubt that it was used as a place of
interment from the number of cists found in the neighbourhood, and
one found recently near the Green Hills, which is now to be seen
intact in the National Museum in Kildare-street, is considered by
Mr. Coffey to date from before Christ.3
In the eighth century after Christ a monastery was established at
Tallaght by the patron saint, St. Maelruain.4 In process of time his name
became corrupted into Mollrooney, and the country people thought their
patron was a female. Until about twenty-five years ago, St. Maelruain's
festival, on the 7th July, was observed, and it was the custom to carry
about in procession on that day a pole — which was preserved from year
to year — decked with flowers called a garland.5
After the Norman Conquest, Tallaght, with its appurtenances, was
confirmed to the See of Dublin, and the church was subsequently annexed
to the Deanery of St. Patrick's. At the beginning of the fourteenth
century the surrounding country was so constantly devastated by in-
cursions of the mountain tribes, that, in order to have a place of refuge
for the inhabitants, the bailiffs of Tallaght — for such it possessed — were
given a royal grant towards enclosing their town with walls, and the
1 See the Journal for 1876, p. 152. 2 See Irish Builder for 1898, pp. 9, 19.
3 A very interesting paper on this cist was read recently by Colonel Plunkett before
the Royal Irish Academy.
4 See O'Hanlon's " Lives of the Irish Saints," vol. vii., p. 98.
5 See 0' Curry's letters on the county Dublin in the Ordnance Survey Manuscripts
preserved in the Royal Irish Academy ; and O'Hanlon's " Lives of the Irish Saints,"
vol. i., p. 71.
100 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Archbishop of Dublin — Alexander Bicknor, celebrated for Lis efforts
to banish beggars — was given a remission of money in consideration of
his building a castle there as a protection. A few years later this castle
was plundered by the O'Tooles, and many of the Archbishop's servants
were slain. Subsequently, about the year 1340, according to D' Alton,
Bicknor erected, possibly by adding to the structure which already
existed, a castle of remarkable size and strength, which was looked upon
as an important stronghold of the Pale, the bounds of which ran close
by. A picture of this castle was made for Mr. Monck-Mason, it is
said, for his projected history of Christ Church Cathedral, but from what
source information as to its design was procured is not known.1 Mr.
Handcock, in his "History of Tallaght," mentions that he had been
told that there were pictures on the walls of the palace, which was
built in the eighteenth century on the site of the castle, representing
the erection of the castle, and suggests that it may have been from these
the picture was designed for Mr. Mason.
Bicknor occupied the castle from time to time,2 as did no doubt
his successors in the See. Towards the close of the fifteenth century,
Archbishop Tregury, who died at the castle, is said to have much repaired
it. In the sixteenth century we find the archbishops frequently dating
letters from Tallaght, and the great Archbishop Loftus almost constantly
resided there until he erected his own magnificent castle at Eathfarnham.
In his time the Irish were " never more insolent," and his nephew, with
some of his men, was slain at his gate.3 Probably the castle fell into
disrepair during the troublous times which succeeded the death of Arch-
bishop Bulkeley, who died there, in 1650, and possibly it was not again
used as an episcopal residence. It was little suited for such, even in
the ideas of those times, judging from the fact that it could only boast
of eight chimneys.
Archbishop Hoadly, on his promotion to the See in 1729, found the
castle in a state of ruin. He pulled it down and built on the site a
modern house, which, though large and commodious, was architecturally,
Austin Cooper says, a piece of patchwork, so devoid of order or regularity
as to be past describing. The halldoor was approached by a double
flight of steps. The hall was lofty, and was lighted by two tiers of
windows. The dining-room and drawing-room were large rooms, and the
former contained a chimney-piece on which the arms of the See empaled
with those of Archbishop Hoadly, were engraved, with the date 1729,
and the words, " Johannes Hoadly, hanc domum refecit." Towards the
close of the century, this mansion was repaired by Archbishop Fowler,
who in the course of his improvements, Mr. Handcock says, showed little
1 See the Journaliov 1870, p. 40.
2 Presents from the Priory of the Holy Trinity were sent to him there. See Mills's
" Account Roll of the Priory."
3 See " Calendars of State Papers, Ireland," passim.
CLONDALKIN, TALLAGHT, ETC., WEST CO. DUBLIN. 101
regard for ancient relics. At the beginning of the present century it
began to fall into decay, and, about 1822, it was sold to Major Palmer,
Inspector-General of Prisons, on condition that the building should be
completely demolished. This was done, and with some of the materials
Major Palmer built a house for himself, which he sold afterwards to Sir
John Lentaigne, from whom it passed to its present owners, the
Dominicans, who have built a handsome monastery on the site. The
chimney-piece was carried off by Major Palmer's brother, the Rev. Henry
Palmer, and erected by him in the church of Tubrid, in the Diocese of
Lismore, where it remains to the present duy, and gives the impression
to all who read the inscription that Tubrid Church was erected by
Archbishop Hoadly.1
In the grounds of the monastery there still remains a square tower,
a portion of the ancient castle of the archbishops. It was repaired by
Sir John Lentaigne, who placed in it any ancient relics which he found
in the grounds. It was evidently built with the materials of a more
ancient building, for, while repairing it, a stone was found in one of the
walls with a head carved on the side which was set inwards. A walk
running from north to south in the gardens used to be known as 1 'the
friars' walk," and an eminence at one end of it as "the bishops' walk."
There is an enormous walnut tree, known as St. Maelruain's tree, in the
garden. It covers about a quarter of an acre, and must be of extra-
ordinary age. It looks like two trees, but it was originally one tree
dividing into two branches, which about the close of last century
separated from one another close to the ground.2
The ancient cill or church of Tallaght was replaced in Anglo-Norman
times by a church, of which the belfry still remains, and which had,
probably, some pretensions to architectural beauty. Amongst the vicars
of ' 'St. Maelruain's of Taulaght" in the fourteenth century was John
Colton, afterwards Archbishop of Armagh, who is so well known on
account of his visitation published by the Irish Archaeological Society.
One hundred years later we find a successor of Colton's in the vicarage
binding himself to pay to the Dean of St. Patrick's eight silver pence
yearly, to build on the glebe a house " of four couples," which he was
to keep " stiff and staunch," and to make new ditches. In the beginning
of the seventeenth century the church wTas "in good repair and decency,"
but during the Commonwealth a Captain Henry Alland, who was
quartered with a troop of horse in Tallaght, pulled off the roof, and
carried away the slates, timber, and paving stones to his own houses.
After the liestoration he was compelled to pay compensation, and the
1 See ' ' Parochial and Ecclesiastical Notes on the Parishes of Tuhrid and Ardfinan,
in the Diocese of Lismore," compiled by, and in the possession of, the Eev. C. T.
M'Cieady, d.d.
2 A woodcut by O'Hanlon, from a drawing by H. O'Neill, of this tree, forms the
frontispiece to the first volume of O'Hanlon's "Lives of the Irish Saints."
102 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
church was rebuilt, but probably with little attention to its original
design. It was one of the numerous churches which Archbishop King
caused to be repaired ;i and fifty years later Sir Timothy Allen greatly
improved it.
This church was replaced in 1829 by the present one. In taking it
down the foundations of an older building were found underneath it, no
doubt the remains of the ancient till. The present church was built
St. Maelruain's "Losset," Tallaght.
parallel to the former church, but a few yards from its site, and the belfry
is connected with it by a porch.2 The belfry is of considerable height, and
contains three stories which are connected by a winding stone stairs. The
top is castellated, and there are in it three openings for bells.
In the churchyard there are the remains of an ancient stone cross,
known locally as " St. Mollrooney's loaf and griddle," and a very large
1 See letter of Sept. 7, 1708, in Archbishop King's Correspondence in Trinity
College Library.
2 A picture of the belfry and porch appears in O'Hanlon's " Lives of the Irish
Saints," vol. i., p. 71.
CLONDALKINj TALLAGHT, ETC., WEST CO. DUBLIN. 103
stone font, which is known as " St. Mollrooney's losset."1 Mr. Eugene
O'Curry thought it was intended for the baptism of adults, and Mr.
Handcock says it is traditionally stated that it was used for washing the
feet of pilgrims who frequented the sacred shrines of Tallaght. In a
petition presented by the churchwardens, in 1662, with regard to the
destruction of their church by Captain Alland, they complained that he
had fed his horses in the font, and Mr. Handcock suggests that this must
have been the losset. There are several old tombstones, amongst them,
one to Colonel John Talbot of Belgard, the date of whose death is indis-
tinct, but is probably 1697; also one to Patrick Pieragh, of "Pur
House," who died in 1715.2 The late Mr. A. J. Petherstonhaugh of the
Public Eecord Office, thought that the name Pir House was derived from
the name of that family.
At the entrance of Tallaght, on the right-hand side of the road com-
ing from Dublin, Mr. Dix, with his marvellous talent for unearthing
ancient remains, has found the ruins of an old castle amongst some
modern buildings.3 It is known to the villagers as Bancroft's Castle.
At Talbot's Leap one of the Talbots is said to have jumped across the
river when pursued by Cromwell's soldiers. The "Mitre House,"
which is near the church, and another old house which is to be found
at the other end of the village, were the inns of Tallaght in the
coaching days.4
Not far from Tallaght is
Old Bawn,
a most interesting old house of the seventeenth century, fast falling
into ruin. It is built in the style then common, with wings extend-
ing from the house on each side of the hall-door, and encircling a
small court-yard. It has high pointed gables and great fluted chimneys,
and in the centre of the roof there was a small cupola, surmounted by a
weathercock, with a clock bearing the date 1727. The hall-door is in a
porch with pillars formed of round and square blocks of stone, placed
alternately. The ceiling of the hall is low, with large carved beams
dividing it into squares ; the walls are wainscoted, and there is a curious
chimney-piece with the arms of the Bulkeleys, who built the house, on
it, and with heads on either side of the slab. The dining-room has a
similar ceiling to the hall, and is also wainscoted. The chimney-piece
in it, which reaches to the ceiling, is a very remarkable one, represent-
ing, as Mr. Handcock supposed, the building of the walls of Jerusalem
by Nehemiah. Numbers of workmen, beautifully modelled in plaster,
1 For meaning of "losset," see Berry's " Register of the Diocese of Dublin,"
p. 227.
2 See "Journal of Memorials of the Dead," vol. i., p. 353 ; vol. ii., p. 98 ; vol.
iii., p. 456. The date 1667 supplied in the inscription on Talbot's tomb is incorrect.
3 See Irish Builder for 1898, p. 157.
4 For more information about Tallaght and its neighbourhood see Mr. Handcock's
" History of Tallaght," of which a new edition is shortly to be published.
104 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
are busily engaged in building a gate, and each of them, while working
with one hand, holds in the other some weapon. On each side of the
chimney-piece there are large figures. The staircase, which has carved
bannisters, and is lighted by a coloured window, leads to two upper
stories.1
Chimney-piece, Old Bavvn.
The chimney-piece, in the dining-room, bears the date 1635, but
1 See Handcock's u History of Tallaght," p. 47. The writer is also much indebted
to Mr. W. P. Briley, who has made a most careful examination of the house, for
■additional information.
CLONDALKIN, TALLAGHT, ETC., WEST CO. DUBLIN.
105
the house was probably built at a later period. Oldbawn, other-
wise Shanbawn, came, about the year 1627, into the possession of
Dr. William Bulkeley, the eldest son of Archbishop Bulkeley, who was
afterwards appointed his father's Archdeacon. Lodge says he was a
person of great virtue and piety, one who made it his employ only to
serve the church, and his diversion only to improve and adorn his estate
with plantations, which from a wild land he brought to a most delight-
ful patrimony. In the rebellion of 1641, his property suffered greatly,
and the buildings which then existed at Old Bawn, and which were
valued at £3000, were destroyed. His father, as I have mentioned
before, died at Tallaght in 1650, and Archdeacon Bulkeley then, prob-
ably, began to build the present house, which could boast of twelve
chimneys. His eldest son, Richard, was created a baronet, but the
title became extinct on the death of his sons without male issue,1 and
Old Bawn came into the possession of the Right Hon. James Worth
Tynte, M.P. for Youghal, on his marriage with a granddaughter of Sir
Richard Bulkeley. Mr. Tynte's grandson, James Stratford Tynte, who
was general of the volunteers, was created a baronet, but on his death
without male issue, that title also became extinct.2
There is a tradition that on the night of Archbishop Bulkeley's death
a coach, drawn by six headless horses, containing two travellers attended
by two footmen, drove up to the door of Old Bawn, but the fact that
the Archbishop neither lived nor died there may be a rude shock to those
who credit it.
Passing by Allenton, where stood the old church of Killinniny, we
come to
Mount Venus Ceomlecu,
one of the largest of the rock monuments in the county Dublin. Indeed,
Mr. Borlase, in his great work on the Dolmens of Ireland, says that,
supposing the immense roofing stone was ever raised on to the summits
of pillars of the height of the two which lie beside it, it must have been
one of the most magnificent megalithic monuments in the world. He
is, however, inclined to think that it rested obliquely upon several pillars
placed on the north-west side.3
Gabriel Beranger, who is specially remarkable for his skill in por-
traying these monuments, made a sketch of it, which shows several more
stones round it than are now to be seen. He has accompanied the sketch
with such a curious note,4 that I think it is worth reproducing : —
" This druiclical monument is situated on Mount Venus, in the garden of ■ ■
Cullen, Esq., in a small grove accessible by a long serpentine shrubbery. It was,
1 See Lodge's " Peerage of Ireland," ed. by Archdall, vol. v., p. 14, et seq.
2 See Blacker's " Sketches of Booterstown," p. 127, et passim.
3 See Boilase's " Dolmens of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 382. .
4 The sketch and note are in a book containing a collection of his drawings pre-
served in the Royal Irish Academy.
106 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
when standing, one of the greatest monuments of that kind. The top stone, which is
20 feet long, 6 feet 1 inch broad, and 4 feet 4 inches thick, is fallen down, and rests
on the ground on one side. Another side leans against a rough stone pillar, 7 feet 7
inches high above ground, and 15 feet in girth at 2 feet above the soil ; it must be very-
long underground to sustain the great weight that presses against it, without giving
way. At 6 feet distance from the standing pillar lies another stone, 12 feet long, 4
feet broad in some parts, and 2 feet thick above the soil. Large fragments of 6, 5,
and 4 feet long, and some smaller, lie under and near the top stone, which, I suppose,
are parts of other supporters or pillars, on which the top stone was formerly standing.
All those fragments are very sound and show no marks of decay, so that it might be
supposed that this monument was destroyed by some shock or concussion of the earth.
" Since the above drawing was taken, I was rambling among the mountains in
quest of more monuments, and mistaking the bed of a torrent for a road, I found my-
self engaged in a wild place with high banks on each side, having saillant angles on
one side, and re-entering angles opposite to them, interspersed with an immensity of
stones sticking out of the sides of the banks, or heaped confusedly on the ground so as
to barricade my passage. On examining this place, and finding it impossible to ad-
vance, I returned and ascended the foot of the hill and gained the edge of the chasm,
in which bottom I was bewildered. Following this way I discovered that this chasm
was a fissure in the foot of Tybroden mountain, which could not have been made but
by an earthquake. Then reflecting on the destruction of the above-mentioned monu-
ment on Mount Venus, in the neighbourhood, and on the other at Kilternan, shaken
from two of its supporters, and recollecting the Scalp, which is a split in a hill on the
skirts of the counties of Dublin and Wicklow, I plainly discovered the track of the
shock or concussion of the earth, and measuring the direct distances on a map of the
county of Dublin, 1 drew two parallel lines from Mount Venus to the Scalp, the dis-
tance between the two lines being half a mile, and within these lines I found, from the
Cromlech on Mount Venus to the chasm of Tibroden l| mile, from Tibroden to Kil-
ternan 3 miles, from Kilternan to the Scalp 1 mile, so that I have traced the effects of
the concussion on a space of b\ miles in length and half a mile broad.
" All my enquiries in town and country were vain ; nobody knew or heard nothing
concerning it, only the Historical Annals of the city of Dublin in Wilson's Directory,
contain these few words, 'Earthquake felt in Dublin in 1690' — query was it this
concussion that left its traces as above mentioned?"
From Mount Venus we proceed to
11A.XHFARNHA1E CASTLE,
This fine castle, one of the great residences of the county Dublin, was
built towards the close of Queen Elizabeth's reign by her Irish Chan-
cellor, Archbishop Loftus, and thither his enemies said, while causes
were pending before him, angels, beasts of the field, and fowls of the
air used to fly or run. It is now the residence of Mr. Edward
Blackburne, q.c
Rathfarnham, or Rath fearn, the rath of the alder tree, was given,
soon after the Norman Conquest, to the Bret family, and they continued
to hold it for three succeeding centuries. In the sixteenth century the
manor came into the possession of Yiscount Baltinglass, and is included
amongst the lands of which he was possessed when he was attainted.1
1 " Calendar of Carew Papers," 1575-88, p. 370.
CLONDALKIN, TALLAGHT, ETC., WEST CO. DUBLIN. 107
Sir Henry Wallop, Vice-Treasurer and Treasurer at War, desired, in the
years 1581-82, to obtain a lease of it from the Crown, and it is probable
that it was then Loftus became possessed of it, for in 1585 we find him
dating a letter from Rathfarnhani.1 The Brets, however, had still some
interest in the place, which the Archbishop purchased in 1593 from their
representative, Viscount Buttevant.
It is not known whether a castle existed at Rathfarnham before
Loftus built the one which still stands there. The present learned
owner, in a most valuable and interesting history of the castle which he
has compiled, and which it is much to be desired he would put in print,
argues with great legal subtlety on circumstantial evidence that one must
have existed there, and thinks portion of the present structure is older
than the sixteenth century.
Eathfarnham Castle.
(From a Photograph by Mr. T. Mason.)
In the troubled times, about 1641, the Archbishop's grandson, Sir
Adam Loftus, had a garrison in the castle to protect Dublin from the in-
cursions of the rebels, and an explosion of gunpowder then took place
there, which nearly terminated the career of an extraordinary genius
called John Ogilby,2 who was at that time Master of the Revels, and owner
1 " Calendar of State Papers, Ireland,'' passim.
2 See notice in "Dictionary of National Biography."
108 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
of a theatre in Dublin, and who subsequently published the first road-
book to England, in a noble folio volume. Before the battle of Rath-
mines the castle, which was then occupied by the forces of the Parliament,
was stormed and taken by the Duke of Ormonde.
In 1723 the castle was sold by Philip, Duke of Wharton, whose
mother was the only child and heiress of Adam Loftus, created Baron of
Eathfarnham and Viscount Lisburn, to Speaker Conolly. From Conolly's
nephew it was bought by Archbishop Hoadly, who was promoted to the
See of Armagh from that of Dublin. In 1766 it came again into the
market, and was sold by Mr. Bellingham Boyle who had married Arch-
bishop Hoadly's only child, to Nicholas Loftus, second Earl of Ely, who was
descended from a younger son of Sir Adam Loftus. Of this poor young
man, and of his uncle who succeeded him a few years later, I have told
something in a Paper read recently before the Society. It was the uncle,
Henry, Earl of Ely, who built the magnificent classic gateway on the
Dodder, and who embellished and improved the castle, employing,
amongst others, the gifted Angelica Kauffinann. During the present
century it was for many years unoccupied, until purchased by the
Right Hon. Francis Blackburne, sometime Lord Chancellor of Ireland,
the father of the present owner.
Rathfarnhani appears to have been a favourite outlet of Dublin at the
close of the seventeenth and beginning of the eighteenth century. The
curious Dunton, when engaged in his famous scuffle with the Dublin
booksellers, sometimes took a ramble there.1 Archbishop King, when
Bishop of Derry, retired to it from " the air and bustle of Dublin,"
which he could not endure.2 While later on, Dr. Sheridan, Swift's
friend, went there to die.
The church of Rathfarnham was united to the Archdeaconry of
Dublin from very early times. The present church is modern, but the
remains of the ancient one are to be seen in the old churchyard where lie
buried Archbishop Magee, and Barry Yelverton, Lord Avonmore.
Returning to Dublin through Rathgar and Rathmines, where, just
250 years ago, the forces under Ormonde and Jones met in deadly
combat; and crossing the canal by La Touche Bridge, so-called from
William Digges La Touche, a Director of the Canal Company in 1791,
the city of Dublin is reached.
1 Dunton's "Dublin Scuffle," p. 371.
2 See letters of March 31 and April 6, 1697, in Archbishop King's Correspondence
in Trinity College Library.
( 109 )
THE MACE OP THE ANCIENT COR-
PORATION OF ATHENRY, COUNTY
GALWAY.
BY W. F. WAKEMAN, Hon. Fellow.
[Read August 2, 1898.]
\ t p. 371 of vol. iii. of our Journal, 4 th
^ Series, 1874-75, will be found from
the pen of the Rev. James Graves, a descrip-
tion, accompanied by a beautifully executed
illustration, of the ancient and very curious
civic seal of Athenry (" The Eord of the
Kings"), a most important stronghold of
the Anglo-Normans in Ireland
thirteenth and
the same Paper
clurim
the
fourteenth centuries. In
our late distinguished and
lamented Secretary offered some remarks
upon the subject of a formidable-looking
mace (here for the first time figured) which,
with the seal, formed part of the insignia of
the ancient Corporation of Athenry. Mr.
Graves then stated that the Association had
to thank Mr. Wakeman, who had procured,
through the influence of the Rev. Mark
Perrin, the exhibition of these articles
" which were in the keeping of John
Blakeny, Esq., of Abbert, county Galway,
whose family were formerly patrons of
the borough, and that gentleman had in-
trusted them to Mr. Perrin to lay before
the meeting."
The mace is, as shown in the accompany-
ing etching, of very singular design, being a
clenched fist, couped below the wrist, solidly
cast in bronze, or antique brass, and mounted
on a stout ashen handle. It is probably the
oldest object of its class (a civic mace) to be
pointed to in the British Isles. The metallic
portion measures 4£ inches in length, and
3^ inches across the nuckles. The handle
JOUK. R.S.A.I., VOL. IX., FT. II., 5TH SEU.
'••>>/ Wffl
•I I
Mace of the Ancient Corporation of
Athenry, Co. Galway.
is about 7 inches long, and
K
110 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
looks pretty old, but lias probably succeeded an elder one, or, perhaps,
more than one. The weight of the whole is 1 lb. 14 J oz.
Through several interesting communications presented to our
Journal by Mr. Robert Day, of Cork, we are familiar with the appearance
of not a few of our old corporation maces. Compared with this Athenry
example, however, they would appear to have been designed more for
show than use, and may be considered as mere 11 baubles," late in elate,
and interesting only as examples of silversmith's work of their respective
periods. The Athenry mace was not intended to be used as a toy, or to
grace a civic procession. It was a weapon, which, when need required,
might prove highly persuasive in the hand of a " pretty " man who pre-
ferred action to verbal argument.
To the kindness of the Rev. W. H. Browne, Rector of Monivea, near
Athenry, I am indebted for the use of an excellent photograph from
which the accompanying etching was made.
An account of " Maces, Swords, and other Insignia of Office of Irish
Corporations (chiefly those in the Exhibition of the Arts and Crafts
Society of Ireland at Dublin) by John Ribton Garstin, v.p.e.i.a., f.s.a.,"
with copious illustrations, was published by that Society last year,
(royal 8vo., second issue, price Is.). According to the great work of
Messrs. Jewett and Hope on the Corporation Plate, &c, of England and
Wales (Introduction), as referred to by Mr. Garstin, p. 5, the weapon
described by Mr. Wakernan can scarcely be called a mace. Being only
about 11 inches long, it seems more suitable for use as a Chairman's
hammer or ruler for demanding silence or order at meetings. The
Royal Irish Academy has a small oak hammer for this duty as well as a
bell.
( 111 )
SWIFTIANA.
BY THE LATE REV. G. T. STOKES, D.D., M.R.I.A.
[Read September 28, 1897.]
J propose to bring under the notice of the Royal Society of Antiquaries
of Ireland a series of relics of our great genius Swift, of whom
you have lately heard something from me. I designate them Swiftiana.
1 exhibit a copy of his own handwriting when it was at the height
$J!l * £ to Land f .
, s _ ':/ (/'la cc V
*/ , ,. •
• ' (ntrfl ef<hicrU"
//./
of its perfection, as I found it the other day in the very first work
which Swift published under his own name. I suppose everyone
knows that he had a great objection to such open and avowed publi-
cation, none of his celebrated writings like the "Tale of a Tub," or
K 2
112
KOYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
the " Drapier Letters," having his name attached. But the " Life and
letters of Sir William Temple " appeared in an avowed shape, described as
by Jonathan Swift, publisher, where it has been suggested to me that
Swift designates himself publisher, not editor, to escape the law of libel.
Now observe the language of the dedication, " To his Grace Narcissus,
Lord Primate of all Ireland, by his Grace's most obedient and most humble
servant, the Publisher." You will observe that the hand is not only
beautifully formed and clear ; but the language of the dedication to
Primate Marsh is most respectful and grateful, simply because Arch-
bishop Marsh had just a few months before given him the stall of
Dunlavin in St. Patrick's Cathedral, though indeed Swift subsequently
changed his tone and temper. Now if you are critical in the matter of
Swift, and his handwriting, you may take this dedication as a standard
thereof, being, as I believe, the earliest specimen of the Dean's hand-
writing which can be identified and dated. The proof of identification
is as follows : — We turn to the title page of this volume of Temple's
letters containing this dedication, signed Jonathan Swift, and there on the
top of the title-page we have Archbishop Marsh's Greek motto, which
he inscribed in every book he possessed 7ravlaxf) r-qv aXrjOeiav, and
then at the bottom of the same page, the Archbishop writes the words
" Ex dono Eeverendi Editoris," and signs himself Narcissus Armachanus.
This fact determines the time of writing these words, as Archbishop
Marsh was translated to Armagh on February 10th, 1703, after which
date these words must have been written. Swift was just then about
thirty-five years of age, and at the very height of his vast powers.
And now for another of my Swiftiania, you will find it in a specimen
of his writing some twenty-five years later. I take it from the fly-leaf
of Clarendon's "History of the Rebellion," preserved in Marsh's Library,
where he gives utterance to a number of his cherished opinions. On the
top of the page he first of all writes, "Judicium de authore," opinion
about the author. Then he bursts out into the following diatribe against
the Scotch : " The cursed hellish villany, treachery, treasons of the Scots,
were the chief grounds and causes of that execrable rebellion"; and then
comes another favourite idea : —
" The word of a king ; this phrase is repeated some hundred times,,
but is ever foolish and too often false."
( us )
MOIRA HOUSE.
BY THE LATE REV. G. T. STOKES, D.D., M.R.I.A.
[Read September 28, 1897.]
Come of the old Dublin streets, as "Weaver's-square, "Ward's Hill,
Chambers- street, Francis-street, French-street, contain most pic-
turesque old houses, constructed in times when men built for beauty as
well as for utility. People in the squares and fashionable streets
have no idea of these beautiful old houses. The picture I exhibit is
the once famous Moira House, on TJssher's Island, which is now
reduced to the humble state of being the Mendicity Institution, after
Moira House.
being frequented by preachers, like the Wesleys and "Whiten eld (of
whom the first Countess of Moira and her mother Lady Huntingdon
were great followers), celebrated ladies, distinguished statesmen, and
notorieties like Lord Edward Fitzgerald and Wolfe Tone. The Moira
House you to-day look upon is only a miserable relic of the Moira
House which once existed, a full and complete picture of which I now
present to your eyes. Let me give you a sketch of its history : —
Moira House wa# for sixty years the residence of the Rawdon
family. The Rawdon family were a famous Yorkshire family about
114 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
300 years ago, say the time of Elizabeth and James I. When large
properties were being carved out here in Ireland by clever adventurers,.
George Rawdon was then an adventurous young fellow in the Court
of Charles I., and he took an active part in Ulster in the troubled
time between 1641 and 1662. He ultimately found himself at the
Restoration on the winning side, when he gained a large estate in the
county Down, where the town of Moira now stands. He was made a
baronet; his son and descendants took the Whig side and were great sup-
porters of William III. and the Hanoverian dynasty, by which means the
Rawdon of his day was created Lord Rawdon in the year 1750. Sir John
Lord Rawdon built Moira House, as now exhibited, about 1752 ; and
now I wish to make an open confession and give credit where credit is
due, for I do not think it is quite honest to publish books or lectures and
never give a hint where you have got your materials. I have myself
suffered a good deal in that way. Any information I have to give you
about Moira House I derive solely from the learned researches of one of
Dublin's too little known literary men, Mr. Edward Evans, to whose con-
tinuous, most industrious, and unrewarded exertions, published twice a
month for years past in the Irish Builder, the existing knowledge of old
Dublin and its mansion houses is largely, I might say almost entirely due.
Take up the Irish Builder for 1894; turn to p. 221 of that year, and
you will find a most comprehensive survey of the history of the Rawdon
family and of Moira House. There Mr. Evans tells us of John the First
Earl of Moira who built the house, Lady Huntingdon's son-in-law. He
then tells us of Francis the Second Earl of Moira and First Marquis of
Hastings, well known as the Governor- General of India. His was the time
when Moira House, as you see it on that screen, was in the very height
of its glory. The second Earl, in early days, frequently entertained at
Moira House men like Lord Edward Fitzgerald, who for a time was con-
cealed in the gardens attached to the mansion, Theobald Wolfe Tone,
William Todd Jones, William Sampson, and Thomas Russell, who were Bel-
fast United Irishmen, and others of the same type of opinion. I shall
now simply quote Mr. Evans's words, describing the building : — " Moira
House was detached from the dwellings on either side, and stood back
from the street about 40 feet, from which it was separated by a screen-
wall about 8 feet high. On the western end of this screen-wall was a
covered entrance showing a pediment over an arched doorway which led
into the mansion ; while at the eastern end another entrance of similar
design helped to conceal the out-offices. The main building consisted of
ground, first, and second floors." "Each floor showed seven large win-
dows, three being in the centre, and two on either side. Aldborough
House on the North Circular Road is an almost exact reproduction of
Moira House, the chief point of difference being that in Aldborough
House the door was in the centre, while in Moira House the doors were
in the sides." The interior of the house was embellished in a style of
MOIRA HOUSK.
115
great splendour by a Dublin artist named Healy. The principal room
was an octagon about 20 feet long by 20 broad and 16 feet high, having
one window reaching from top to bottom, with sides inlaid throughout
with mother-of-pearl, while the ceiling was decorated in a style of
similar magnificence, to which I should think Angelica Kauffmann con-
tributed in her Dublin visit of 1771 when she decorated so many houses
which are still in existence. I saw a few days ago the pictures she
painted in the drawing-room of 52, Stephen' s-green just as fresh and per-
fect as if done last week. In 1826 Moira House fell from its high estate
as a resident Irish peer's abode, and was sold to the Society for suppress-
ing street- begging in Dublin. The top story was then taken away ; the
decorations removed, and the gardens covered with offices and buildings
of various kinds. The two wings were taken down ; the curtain wall
which connected them was removed and replaced by a dwarf wall of
granite surmounted by an iron railing. The picture I exhibit is repro-
duced from that originally published in the Hibernian Maga%ine for
March, 1811. I only hope that this communication may be the means
of stirring up a greater interest in our splendid and historic Dublin
mansions, and, above all, in those neglected contributions to local history
made by my friend Mr. Evans, to which I have called your attention,
and from which I have so largely quoted.
116 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIKS OF IRELAND.
THE MONUMENTS AT CLONMACNOISE.
BY R. A. STEWART MACALISTER, M.A.
[Read January 17, 1899.]
accordan6e with my promise recently made in a note in the Journal,
I submit herewith a detailed list of the monuments now remaining
in the cemetery at Clonmacnoise. This list is not classified : such a
classification cannot be attempted till all the drawings, on which I am
engaged, can be completed, as time permits.
There are 88 of the 180 figured in "Christian Inscriptions in the
Irish Language" still extant : namely, those indicated in that work by
the following figures : —
2, 3, 7, 8, 1 1, 12, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31, 32, 35, 36, 39, 40,
42, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 54, 56, 57, 59, 61, 63, 68, 69, 70, 72, 74,
76, 78, 79, 80, 82, 84, 89, 90, 92, 93, 95, 99, 100, 101, 103«, 1035,
105, 106, 107, 112, 115, 117, 124, 126, 127, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135,
136, 137, 138, 141, 145, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 155, 158, 159,
160, 166, 167, 169, 172, 173, 177.
Of the remainder : —
15 had disappeared before the publication of the above-named work :
viz., Nos. 1, 4, 5, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 28, 48, 55, 96, 119, 156, 171.
59 have disappeared since : viz., Nos. 6, 9, 13, 18, 19, 25, 30, 33,
34, 37, 38, 41, 44, 46, 50, 58, 60, 62, 64, 65, 66, 67, 71, 73, 75, 81,
83, 85, 97, 98, 102, 104, 114, 116, 118, 120, 121, 123, 125, 128, 134,
139, 140, 142, 143, 144, 146, 154, 157, 161, 163, 164, 165, 168, 170,
174, 176, 178, 179. (On the other hand, I found Nos. 7, 20, and
177 recorded as being lost or removed in the " Christian Inscriptions.")
15 arc recorded as being at Lemanaghan, or elsewhere, or in the
E. I. A. collection: viz., 10, 52, 77, 91, 94, 108, 109, 110, 111, 113,
122, 129, 153, 162, 175.
3 are illustrations of the high cross of King Elann, and do not come
within the scope of this list. These are 86, 87, 88.
In addition there are 100, not recorded in the " Christian Inscrip-
tions " which are entered in the following provisional list : —
1-88. Crosses recorded in "Christian Inscriptions" (some of these
have suffered serious injury, and a few others are not very
accurately delineated).
THE MONUMENTS AT CLONMACNOISE.
117
89. Latin (?) cross in panel, key-end semicircular, eared, containing
two shaped spirals. Inscription, . . en . . . Small fragment.
90. Greek (?) cross in panel, centre circular, key-end narrow rec-
tangle. Small fragment.
91. Latin cross, plain circular centre piece, semicircular key-ends.
Inscription, or do maelsi. Perfect.
92. No cross. Inscription, . . . a?c . . . Very small fragment.
93. Four ''Celtic" crosses, the arms joined to make a square. Pro-
bably an altar-slab rather than a monument.
94. Greek cross in panel, centre " invecked." Inscription illegible
(? gad . . . ig . . .). Almost perfect but much worn.
95. Greek cross in panel, circular centre enclosing lozenge. Half
left.
96. Small fragment with eared semicircular key-end containing key
pattern. Inscription, . . han . . ? Worn.
97. Greek cross in panel, centre and key-ends square. About half,
worn.
98. Fragment bearing eared semicircular key-end. Inscription illegible.
Worn.
99. Latin cross, plain semicircular key-end left. Centre gone. In-
scription, do muretliach. Fragment only.
100. Small fragment with semicircular key-end. Inscription, or .......
101. Very small fragment with one key-end, triangular in shape, base
curved, containing key-pattern.
102. Greek cross in circular frame, key-ends square. Inscriptions,
™urc(?)us. Perfect.
103. Plain semicircular key-end. Inscription, . . . elli . . ennaeZi
(?). About an eighth left.
104. Greek cross in panel, the angles filled with L-shaped lines parallel
to the arms of the cross.
105. Latin cross in panel, centre and key-ends square without ornament.
Top lost.
106. Celtic cross covered with key -pattern. Inscription illegible. Very
worn.
107. Greek cross in square panel. Centre circular containing a lozenge.
Inscription, gaescel. Very scaled and worn. '
108. Plain Latin cross, circular centre, semicircular key-ends, bottom
squared. In fair condition.
109. Greek cross in square panel, centre "invecked," and containing
a pellet, key-ends narrow, oblong. Inscription, letheecc . . .
About three-quarters left.
110. Plain Greek cross in square panel. Perfect.
111. Celtic cross, fiche. Bottom only left.
112. Celtic cross, centre invecked, ends square, the bottom working
into two spirals. Inscription illegible. Worn.
118 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
113. Greek cross in panel, centre' injected, containing a lozenge, ends
rectangular. Inscription, . . soin . . Worn.
114. About a quarter of a cross, semicircular key-end with key-pattern.
115. Plain Latin cross. Perfect.
116. No cross. Inscription, + or . . . g . . . . Small fragment.
117. Celtic cross, plain circular centre. Inscription, eud ar niiael . . .
Bottom broken.
118. Plain Latin cross, ends square. Inscription, or do m . . . Flaked.
119. Yery small fragment of a key-end.
120. Greek cross in panel, circular centre containing pellets. Half
left.
121. About a quarter of a similar cross.
122. About a quarter of a Celtic cross.
123. 124. Two very small indefinite fragments.
125. Fragment of the bottom of a cross in a panel.
126. Latin cross in "wall of Troy" panel, circular centre, bottom
fiche with a pendant. Top lost.
127. 128. Two small fragments of eared key-ends with key-patterns.
129. No cross. Inscription, . . uid . . Small fragment.
130. Greek cross in square panel ; centre square containing a crosslet.
Inscription, augal ? Bottom broken.
131. Small fragment bearing a plain semicircular key-end.
132. Doubtful fragment.
133. Greek cross in square panel, circular centre containing a lozenge.
Bottom broken.
134. 135. Small fragments, one of them the corner of a key-end.
136. Apparently an altar slab.
137. Plain cross, triskelion in centre, semicircular key-ends.
138. Plain cross in square panel. Half left.
139. Celtic cross. Centre only left.
140. Greek cross in square panel. Inscription, .... elm . . . ? Worn.
141. Greek (?) cross in "wall of Troy" panel. Swastika in key-end.
Fragment only.
142. Fragment of an eared semicircular key-end. Small fragment
only.
143. Plain cross, circular centre containing knot. Inscription, or do . . .
Quarter only.
144. Greek cross in square panel, lozenge in centre. W'orn, side
broken.
145. Greek cross in square panel, centre containing crosslet, key-ends
each containing a tau crosslet. Perfect.
146. Celtic cross, centre inveckecl. Inscription, or do angiu. Perfect,
but scaled.
147. Greek cross in square panel, circular centre containing a dot.
Inscription (?) + presall. Bottom fractured.
THE MONUMENTS AT CLONMACNOISE.
119
148. Latin cross, plain, eared key-ends. Side lost.
149. Bottom of a cross, with spirals.
150. Latin cross, tetraskelion in centre, key-ends eared semicircles.
Inscription illegible. Perfect, but worn.
151. Bottom of a cross in a panel, probably of late date.
152. Latin cross, tetraskelion in centre, key-pattern in key-ends. Per-
fect, but worn.
153. Latin cross, knot in centre. Side lost.
154. Greek cross in " wall of Troy" panel, circular centre. In-
scription, . . nacc . . Small fragment only.
155. No cross. Inscription, do choind.
156. Greek cross in square panel. Circular centre.
157. Small fragment inscribed co.
158. Small fragment inscribed nd, -with part of the edge of a cross
in a circular panel.
159. Latin cross, key pattern in centre and key-end. Inscription,
mace. About a quarter only left.
160. Fragment of a Latin inscription in five lines.
161. On one face, plain cross with triangular ends, worn. On the
opposite face, a cross very elaborately ornamented with inter-
lacing work. Fragment only.
162. Latin cross, shaft ornamented with key-pattern. Inscription,
. . . dam ... . Fragment only.
163. Small fragment inscribed -f or.
164. Greek cross with triangular ends. Inscription, snedreagol. Perfect.
165. Small fragment inscribed uid.
166. Small fragment bearing the corner of a key-end.
167. Greek cross in " wall of Troy" frame, circular centre. Perfect.
168. No cross except initial to the inscription, + or do d . . . Scaled.
169. Yery small fragment of a cross. Inscription, or anm . . .
170. Square arm of a cross. Inscription . . . tu(?) . .
171. Greek cross, square pane], centre lozenge-shaped. Inscription,
. . Jina . . Side gone.
172. Latin cross, centre gone, key-ends semicircular eared. Inscrip-
tion, . . jtbedc . . Quarter only remains.
173. Centre of a cross. Small fragment, much scaled.
174. End of a key, with letters di.
175. Small fragment of a shaft with is.
176. Small fragment of Celtic cross with o a.
177. Bottom of a small cross with "pall-shaped" centre and looped
ends.
178. Top fragment of a Celtic cross with cu.
179. Greek cross, in square panel. Inscription rectnia. Perfect.
180. An arrangement of interlaced hexagons in a circle, broken to
form a cross. Almost perfect.
120 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
181. Latin, cross, circular centre with key-pattern, semicircular ear key-
ends. Inscription, or do . . Corner lost.
182. Celtic cross, plain-square centre pieces and key-ends. Inscription,
muirechtach. Perfect.
183. Fragment bearing eared semicircular key-end and uar . . .
184. Cross pattee in a circle. Inscription or do muirethach. Perfect.
185. Latin, plain circular centre piece. Inscription, .. aill. Fragment
186. Altar slab.
187. Greek cross with wall of Troy panel. Inscription, . . ctcos. Top
broken.
188. Cross and triskelion in centre, plain semicircular keys. Inscrip-
tion, or do . . .
Of the above many have, no doubt, been omitted from the " Christian
Inscriptions," because they bore no inscriptions. Of the inscriptions
above cited a few doubtful examples are given subject to revision, as
this is not intended to be more then a preliminary catalogue.
SCMMAKY.
Inscribed slabs now at Clonmacnoise, recorded in " Christian
Inscriptions," ......
Inscribed slabs now at Clonmacnoise, not recorded in 11 Chris-
tian Inscriptions," .
100
88
Total number of slabs existing at Clonmacnoise,
Inscribed slabs lost from Clonmacnoise before publication of
"Christian Inscriptions," .
Inscribed slabs lost from Clonmacnoise after publication of
"Christian Inscriptions," .
188
15
59
Total number of slabs lost from Clonmacnoise,
Slabs in the neighbourhood of Clonmacnoise, or removed
thence to Dublin, .
74
15
Total,
277
( lai )
Armoy Round Tower, Co. Antrim. — The tower is in the Protestant
Episcopal Church grounds, within three-quarters of a mile of Armoy,
and one mile of Armoy railway station. It is 35 feet 6 inches high
over the present level of the ground at the doorway, and about 2 feet
more on the opposite side where the ground is lower. The internal
diameter at the level of the doorway is 8 ft. 4 in., and the thickness of
Armoy Round Tower.
(From a Photograph by Mr. S. K. Kirker.)
the walls is 3 ft. 6 in. The walls batter on the outside about one inch
in 5 feet, and overhang to the same extent on the inside ; but there is an
offset at each place where, no doubt, there was a floor originally, reducing
the thickness of the wall equal to the extent of overhang in the story
below, and which thus kept all the floors of the same size.
There are no windows at present, but there are the remains of two
122
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
openings at the top. They do not appear to have been windows, but
probably openings made when the tower was used for a modern belfry.
There was probably a window originally in each story, but they have
been built up, and the masonry is so well bonded into the original work,
that there is no trace of them now.
The tower is built with Avhat is locally known as "mountain freeze "
— a laminated schistose sandstone — with Layde sandstone dressings to the
doorway. The stones are large, especially lengthwise, well bonded and
dressed^to the curvature of the walls, but not regularly coursed nor
Doorway — Armoy Round Tower.
{From a Photograph by Mr. S. K. Kirker.)
squared. The mortar has weathered out of the joints to a considerable
depth both inside and outside, and the joints should be pointed with
cement and pinned to preserve the structure.
The doorway, which is on the south-west side (as shown on plan
herewith), is 6 feet high, 1 foot 8 inches wide at bottom, and 1 foot
5^ inches at top of jamb. It has a semicircular head cut out of a single
stone, and there is a flat band or architrave 6 inches by 1 inch on outer
face, and traces of an impost of same dimensions ; but the stones are
much weathered, and some of the original stones have been removed
MISCELLANEA.
123
from the jambs, so that it is difficult to get accurate dimensions. There
are two stones in the thickness of the wall at the head and the cill
of doorway, and the stones are rebated on the inner face for the door.
ARMOY ROUND TOWER CP ANTRIM
PLAN
SCALE- FEET TO ONE INCH
As already stated, there are offsets at each floor level on the inside
face of wall, and at two of them projecting courses of stones which
formed very good supports for the floors. There was probably a similar
124 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
projecting course at the level of upper floor shown on the section of tower
herewith, but it would be removed to make room for the modern bell and
fittings.
The present surface inside the tower is at same level as on the out-
side, 4 feet below the cill of doorway, but, doubtless, originally there was.
a full story below the level of entrance, say 10 or 12 feet, and at the
same time the ground on the outside would be at a similarly lower level,
but has been raised by interments made in the churchyard adjoining the
tower. — S. K. Kirkek, Ron. Local Secretary for South Down.
ARMOY ROUND TOWER . C9 ANTR I M
ENLARGED PLAN Of DOOR WAr
'plan
Since writing the above, I have seen an article on this tower, by
Edmund Getty, in the Ulster Journal of Archeeology , vol. 4, page 173.
The author explored the Armoy Round Tower in the year 1843, and
collected some historical facts connected with it, which are given in the
above-mentioned work, from which I extract the following : —
" "What remains of the tower has been fitted up as a belfry, by putting a wooden
roof on the walls, of which about 40 feet are still standing. ....
"In the course of the excavations only loose debris, with small portions of wood
MISCELLANEA.
125
and stone, and jaws of animals, were thrown out for several feet ; but at length a
skull and other human remains were found, packed up against the wall on the north
side. These were evidently in the same position as at first placed. Portions of horn
were also found, and remains of the fallen part of the tower. Anything discovered
hitherto was considered of little importance, as all to this depth may have been
disturbed at some period posterior to the erection of the building. The skull, never-
theless, had an appearance of considerable antiquity. When the search was continued
to a further depth of some feet another skull was found, embedded like a fossil, lying
on the south-east side of the line of entrance, but without any other bones of the
skeleton with it. This skull lay with the upper part towards the centre of the tower,
and the lower jaw towards the wall. The material it was embedded in was stiff clay ;
and there was this peculiarity attending it, that it was contained in a hollow space in
the wall, which appeared to have been constructed to contain it, in the manner of a
rude niche. Mr. Benn and Mr. Birnie, with the writer, examined it in situ, and were
all equally struck by the fossil-like appearance it presented — an appearance previously
observed in similar instances. It is an interesting circumstance to notice that the
three upper cervical vertebrae were found in connexion with this skull, or in situ as
respects the cranium, and no other bones were found in the same place that seemed to
be parts of the same body. The inferences drawn by the parties present was, that
the head buried here had been, when in a recent state, severed from the trunk. The
under jaw and vertebrae were nearly on the same horizontal line — in fact just so much
of the vertebral column remained as must have been removed with the head if taken
off, while the muscles and integuments were recent. This relic was obtained, fortu-
nately, in a nearly perfect state. In the place where it lay a fire had been burned,
and it had been deposited on a bed of peat ashes and charcoal before being covered
with the clay. Several pins, formed of deer's antlers, were found : they seemed to
have been used by the builders in setting out their work. A portion of a line, made
of twisted hair, was also discovered, and a piece of sandstone, most probably used for
whetting the workers' tools.
' ' The discovery of a head so distinctly interred separate from the body gives more
than usual interest to the skull exhumed from the tower. That such a practice was
not without precedent with the ancient Irish is proved by several facts. For instance,
in the case of the skulls found in an ancient burial-ground near the Giant's Ring, so
accurately detailed in the Ulster Journal of Archaeology, vol. iii., p. 360, and, in
several instances, recorded by the Four Masters : —
" 'Age of Christ 558 — After that Dermot, son of Fergus Cerrbheoll, had been
20 years King of Ireland, he was slain by Aodh Dubh, son of Suibhne, King of
Dalaradia, of Rathbeg, in Moy Line. His head was conveyed to Clonmacnois,
and interred there, and his body was buried at Connor.' "
The Gallan near Saggart. — The article by Mr. E. A. Stewart
Macalister, which appeared in the third number of the Journal for 1898,
describing the " Gates of Glory " near Dingle, has reminded me of two
standing-stones near Saggart, which, owing both to their similarity to
the " Gates of Glory," and their nearness to the city, equally deserve
to have attention drawn to them.
These stones are in a field on the left hand side of the road, which
runs from near the tramway embankment to the village of Saggart, a
little more than half way to the village, and can be easily seen over a
gate when passing by. Their distance from the gate is about twenty
JOUR. R.S.A.I., VOL. IX., FT. II., 5TH SER. L
126 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
paces. They are not shown or marked on the 6-inch Ordnance Sheet of
the district.
These stones also bear an odd local title, namely " Adam and Eve,"
and anyone who knows them will, when looking at the picture of the
" Gates of Glory," be instantly reminded, as I was, of these county
Dublin stones. The words " Adam and Eve " may be a kind of trans-
lation of an Irish name, or may represent, more or less imperfectly of
course, the sound of Irish words.
The " Adam and Eve " stones, one of which is larger and a little
taller than the other, are 5 feet 2 inches apart at the bottom, and 8 feet
11 inches at the top. One stone is pointed, namely that on the left as
one looks at them from the gate. It is triangular in shape, the apex
being towards the gate. The base at the far side measures 4 feet
9 inches, the inside face is feet, and the remaining one is half a foot
less. It stands 4 feet high from the ground, and bears a strong resem-
blance to an eye tooth. It is presumably " Eve," as being the smaller of
the two. It was perhaps partly brought into its present shape by the
hand of man.
The stone on the right is rather square or oblong in shape, but
irregular. It is 4 feet 6 inches high. The side next the gate measures
3£ feet, the opposite 4 feet, and the two ends measure 2 feet and 2^ feet
respectively. The top is flat and only about 2 feet square, owing to the
slope upwards on the inside face, which causes the great distance
between the stones at the top. A line drawn from one stone to the
other would run roughly from N. E. to S. W.
The similarity of the " Adam and Eve" to the "Gates of Glory"
may now be noted. A stone in each set is bigger and taller than its
companion, and in each case the stone to the east is the smaller one, and
tapers to a point at the top. As to the general size, both the stones in
the " Gates of Glory " are taller than the " Adam and Eve," but this is
an uncertain indication of difference, for the earth in the one case may
have become heaped up about the stones, or in the other it may have
been worn away. The line of the stones in both sets is from east to
west, and the base distance between the two stones in each case is
practically the same ; in the county Dublin stones 5 feet 2 inches, and
in the other 5 feet 3 inches.
At the south end of the village of Saggart, by the right hand side of
the road, upon which are Swift's Castle and the Paper Mills facing each
other, but a little beyond them, is a large boulder, somewhat resembling
in shape a tortoise's shell, having round it a groove nearly making
a circle. This stone measures 6 feet by 4, and is 3 feet thick in the
centre. The groove or circle which occurs 2 feet from the ground, has
a circumference of about 9 feet, and a diameter of about 3 feet. "Whether
this marking is ancient or not, I cannot say; but here also we find a large
marked stone at not a great distance from a Gallan. From the " Adam
MISCELLANEA.
127
and Eve " stones to this boulder is half a mile along the road, but the
direct distance between them is only about half as much. There is also
scratched on the boulder a cross measuring 1 foot 3 inches long, by
6 inches wide.
These stones are well known to me, but I am indebted to Mr. "W.
P. Briley for all the foregoing measurements, to obtain which he kindly
made a special visit.
Mr. Briley has shown me, in the tract on " Breatha Comaithcesa"
(Judgments on Co-Tenancy), a list of twelve kinds of marks on land, by
which the necessary boundary in such cases was defined, the second of
which is the stone mark (Ail Bla). Other instances of this mark are
Ail Adrada (stone of worship), Ail Amnscuithc (immovable stone), and
Ail Leachta (monumental stone). This tract now forms, I am told, the
middle of the 4th volume issued by the Brehon Law Commission, and
the passage occurs at page 143. In the part of the adventures of
Lomnochtain, which appears in the Gaelic Journal for March, 1899,
there is a mention, Mr. Briley says, of the Liaig na mBeann (peaked
pillar- stone).
The prehistoric remains still eft in the south of the county of Dublin,
deserve far more attention than they have yet received. — E. R. M'C. Dix.
Chess in Ireland. — What are the earliest authentic historical allusions
to the game of chess in Ireland ?
In the " Chess- Players' Annual" by Rowland, the following are given
as the Irish names of the several pieces, &c. : —
King, . . High.
Queen, . . Rioghan and Ban Rioglian.
Book, . . Caislean.
Bishop, . . JEasbog.
Knight, . . Zaoch, or Rid ire.
Pawn, . . Kern.
Castles, . . —
Check, . . Cosg.
Mate, . . —
Chess, . . Rranamh, or FUhchioll.
Erom what source are the Irish names of the pieces derived ?
By whom, and when was the game introduced into Ireland ? —
Tenison, Fellow.
Tobernahalthora and Tobergrania. — Mr. Knox in his very interest-
ing note1 on Tobernahalthora refers to Tobergrania, Co. Clare, as men-
tioned in " The Dolmens of Ireland." The latter is described in the
Supra, p. 63.
L2
128 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Ordnance Survey Letters (ILL A.) there quoted, as a square cist, and
compared at some length with the well " Slan." Unfortunately, the
account in the Ordnance Survey Letters is misleading, and my note
regarding the same to Mr. Borlase did not reach him in time to be
inserted in his valuable work.
As I hope before long to give a short note with plans of Tobergrania
and the two neighbouring dolmens, I need only point out — 1. Tober-
grania is not a square cist but a genuine and perfect dolmen, tapering
eastward, and with antse to the west.
2. That it is not a well, having no spring inside. The bog evidently
rose around it,' causing the interior to fill with surface water ; since the
bog has been so much cut away it is now usually quite dry.
3. There is no hole in any of the stones — only a depression or
" scoop " out of the west block as in other dolmens of the district.
4. It is understood by the peasantry to have been made by the same
persons as the other dolmens, one of which is still known as " Labba
'yermudh' augus Grama." The " Grania " in each case being supposed)
to be the same person. — T. J. Westropp.
Photographic Survey. — In the report on this collection in the
Journal, p. 61, the name of Dr. Ralph Westropp Brereton appeared by
mistake as " Rev. Mr. Brereton." He also calls attention to an error
on p. 63, where Borris-in-Ossory Castle, and Disert Church, appear as*
in Tipperary instead of in Queen's County. The cromlechs of Tober-
grania and Altoir Ultach, near Feakle, were also accidently omitted,
under county Clare, on p. 62. — T. J. Westropp.
( 129 )
The Second General Meeting of the Society for the year 1899 was
held in the Society's Rooms, Dublin, on Wednesday, 12th April, at
4.30 o'clock, p.m. ;
Edward Perceval Weight, 2tr.A., m.d., v. -p. r.i.a., Vice-President,
in the Chair.
The following were present during the proceedings, or joined
Excursion on the following day : —
Fellows. — Thomas Drew, r.h.a., Vice-President ; Rev. Canon ffrench, m.r.i.a.,
Vice-President ; Robert Cochrane, f.s.a., m.r.i.a., Hon. General Secretary ; F.
Ellington Ball, m.k.i.a., Son. Treasurer; G. D. Bnrtchaell, m.a., m.r.i.a.; John
Cooke, m.a. ; R. S. Long-worth Dames, b.a., m.r.i.a.; Bishop Donnelly; P. J.
Donnelly; J. R. Garstin, m.a., b.d., f.s.a., m.r.i.a.; Charles Geoghegan ; Dr. G.
E. J. Greene, m.a., d. sc., m.r.i.a. ; R. Langrishe, f.r.i.a.i. ; Very Rev. Canon
M'Geeney ; James Mills, m.r.i.a. ; William R. J. Molloy, m.r.i.a. ; P. J. O'Reilly ;
Count Plunkett, m.r.i.a. ; Colonel Philip D. Vigors ; Thomas Johnson Westropp,
jm.a., m.r.i.a.; W. W. "Wilson, m.r.i.a.; Robert Lloyd Woollcombe, m.a., ll.d.,
m.r.i.a.
Members. — Rev. A. W. Ardagh, m.a.; Miss Badham ; S. Baker; H. F. Berry,
jm.a. ; R. Bestick ; James Brenan, r.h.a. ; Rev. K. C. Brunskill, m.a. ; Rev. R.
A. Burnett, m.a. ; John Carolan ; Miss Clark ; Rev. A. Coleman, o.p. ; Rev. M. H.
F. Collis, b.d. ; William Cookman, m.d. ; A. D. Cooper ; H. A. Cosgrave, m.a. ;
Miss Cunningham ; Rev. H. W. Davidson, b.a. ; Rev. H. Davy, m.a. ; Very Rev.
Abraham Dawson, m.a., Dean of Dromore ; Rev. J. J. Duan ; Rev. W. Falkiner,
m.a. ; S. A. 0. Fitzpatrick ; Frederick Franklin, f.r.i.a.i. ; Joseph Gough ; Mrs.
J. Greene; Lieut. -Colonel John J. Greene, m.b. ; Thomas Greene, ll.d.; Mrs. T.
Greene; Mrs. A. Hamilton; Rev. Canon Healy, ll.d.; W. A. Henderson; H.
Hitchins ; J. Holmes; Mrs. Holmes; Miss Hynes ; Archdeacon Jameson, m.a.;
T. C. Kenny ; Rev. Canon Kernan, b.d. ; Rev. Canon Lett, m.a., m.r.i.a. ; Rev.
John W. Lindsay, d.d. ; Mrs. T. Long ; T. Lowry ; Rev. Dr. Lucas; Rev. Thomas
Lyle, m.a. ; Rev. H. C. Lyster, b.d.; F. M ' Bride ; Rev. G. M'Cutchan, m.a.;
Dr. Mac Sheehy ; John P. M'Knight ; T. Mason ; W. M. Mitchell, r.h.a. ; M.
Mooney ; Rev. D. Mullan ; Mrs. Murtagh ; P. L. Nolan, b.a. ; Lieut. -Colonel
O'Callaghan Westropp ; D. J. O'Donoghue ; Rev. E. O'Leary ; Miss Oldham; J. E.
Palmer; Miss A. Peter; Miss M. E. Pirn; Thomas Plunkett, m.r.i.a.; Rev. Dr.
Powell ; Miss Reynell ; T. Rice ; Rev. Precentor Roolie, m.a. ; Mrs. J. F. Shackleton ;
Rev. R. Scriven, m.a. ; T. J. Shaw ; Mrs. Sheridan ; E. W. Smyth, j.p. ; T. Smyth ;
Mrs. Stacpoole ; Rev. B. Stanford, m.a. ; William C. Stubbs, m.a. ; W. J. Thomas ;
F. P. Thunder; H. P. Truell, m.d. ; R. D. Walshe ; Rev. Hill Wilson White, d.d.,
m.r.i.a. ; R. Blair White ; W. Grove White, ll.b. ; Rev. Precentor Willcocks, m.a. ;
Rev. G. Otway Woodward, b.a.
The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting were read and
•confirmed.
130 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
The following Candidates, recommended by the Council, were-
declared duly elected : —
Fellows.
O'Ryan, James, Manager, Provincial Bank of Ireland, Kilrush : proposed by H. C,
Cullinan, ll.b., Fellow.
Speth, George William, f.b. hist. s. {Member, 1897), La Tuya, Edward-road,
Bromley, Kent: proposed by W. J. Chetwode Crawley, d.c.l., Fellow.
Members.
Allen, Mrs. W. J., Linwhinney, Lurgan : proposed by S. F. Milligan, m.b.i.a., Fellow.
Bolton, Miss Anna, Rathenny, Clougbjordan : proposed by Henry Dixon.
Dickenson, Colonel Wykeham Corry, Earlsfort Mansions, Dublin : proposed by John
Cooke, m.a'., Fellow.
Duncan, James Dalrymple, f.s.a. (Scot.), Meiklewood, Stirling, N. B. : proposed by
James Fleming, Jun.
Fitz Gerald, R. A., 47, Ailesbury-road, Dublin : proposed by J Poe Alton.
Fitz Simon, D. O'Connell, Glancullen, Golden Ball : proposed by the Rev. T. A.
O'Morcboe, m.a.
Flood, AVilliam H. Grattan, Enniscortby : proposed by Dr. G. E. J. Greene, j.p.,.
&c, Fellow.
Gibson, Henry, j.p., Ardnardeen, Clontarf : proposed by John Panton.
Gill, R. P., a. inst. c.e.i., Fattbeen, Nenagb : proposed by Henry Dixon.
Gorman, James, General Valuation Office, Ely-place, Dublin: proposed by A. P.
Morgan, b.a.
Heatbcote, Miss Beatrice, Beech wood, Totton, Southampton : proposed by T. F.
Cooke-Trench, m.b.i.a., Fellow.
Horner, John, Chelsea, Antrim-road, Belfast : proposed by Francis Joseph Bigger,
m.b.i.a., Fellow.
Hynes, Miss, 55, Upper Leeson- street, Dublin: proposed by G. D. Burtcbaell, m.a.^
m.b.i.a., Fellow.
Keating, Miss, Raheen, Enniscorthy : proposed by G. D. Burtchaell, m.a., m.b.i.a.,
Fellow.
Kenny, Thomas Canice, 5, Brighton Vale, Monkstown, Co. Dublin : proposed by
George E. Matthews.
Kerr, Miss, 2, College-avenue, Londonderry : proposed by W. J. Browne, m.a.^
m.b.i.a., Fellow.
Lowry, Thomas, 2, Clarinda Park East, Kingstown, Co. Dublin: proposed by George
E. Matthews.
Librarian, Natural History and Philosophical Society, Armagh : proposed by R. Gray,
P. B.C. P. I.
M'Cann, James, Simmonscourt Castle, Donnybrook : proposed by Pierce L. Nolan, b.a.
Murray, Daly, j.p., Beech Hill, Cork: proposed by the Rev. P. Hurley, p.p.
Osborne, Rev. J. Denham, m.a., 27, Belvidere-place, Dublin : proposed by William
Gray, m.b.i.a., Fellow.
Paterson, Thomas, Tildarg, Merrion-road, Dublin : proposed by T. J. Westropp,
M.A., M.B.I.A., Fellow.
Pollock, Hugh, Barrister-at-Law, 50, Northumberland-road, Dublin : proposed by
H. F. Berry, m.a.
Rooney, William, 23, Leinster-avenue, North Strand-road, Dublin: proposed by
Henry Dixon.
Stoney, Robert Vesey, d.l., Rossturk Castle, Westport : proposed by H. P. Truell, m.d.
White, Rev. Newport John Davis, d.d., Marsh's Library, St. Patrick's, Dublin :
proposed by John Cooke, m.a., Fellow.
Williamson, Rev. Charles Arthur, m.a., Carnew, Co. Wicklow : proposed by the
Rev. Canon ffrench, m.b.i.a., Vice-President.
The Eeport of the Auditors for the year 1898 was read, and adopted
as follows : —
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132
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IR ISLAND.
The Report of the Council concerning the Society's Museum was
read, and adopted as follows : —
At the Annual General Meeting of the Society, held in Dublin on the 17th of
January last, the Council were empowered to make all the necessary arrangements
for the legal transfer of the collection of Antiquities at Kilkenny to a Local Com-
mittee, the Committee to make the necessary arrangements for the housing and
caring of the same in Kilkenny. The collection thus authorised to he transferred was
to consist of objects relating to the county and city of Kilkenny. To carry this resolu-
tion into effect, the Council appointed a Committee to negotiate matters with the
Kilkenny Committee, and the former visited Kilkenny on the 11th and 12th March,
1899, and had several interviews with the Kilkenny Representatives ; it soon became
apparent that a considerable portion of the Museum consisted of objects which it was
not in the power 'of the Committee to handover, i.e. such as the Kavanagh Collec-
tion of Egyptian and Grecian Antiquities; various finds presented to the Society,
but found in the adjoining counties. It was also evident that certain objects in the
Museum were, under the circumstances of the case, of a nature not desirable for a
small local Museum, such as a set of Morticed Boards from a Crannoge, or fragments
of Sepulchral Urns, which latter would require skill and practice in placing the
fragments together to make them of the slightest value. The Council, on this,
concluded that the present state of affairs justified a new reference to the Society.
The Council therefore beg to recommend for the approval of the Society : —
" That with the exception of the specimens as in the Schedule attached, the collection
of Antiquities in Kilkenny, at present the property of the Royal Society of Antiquaries
of Ireland, be transferred to two or three Trustees, to be appointed on behalf of a Kil-
kenny Museum Committee, on the conditions that the collection be adequately housed
and cared for in Kilkenny, the said Trustees to be responsible for the preservation and
exhibition of the specimens, and that if, at any time, there be a default in this under-
taking, the collection shall revert to the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, to
be disposed of as they shall see fit. That the Society also empower the Council to
approve of a Deed of Trust to this effect, between the Trustees acting for the Kilkenny
Museum Committee, and the Trustees of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland.
" That the Council be authorised to deposit with the Royal Irish Academy the
various articles in the Schedule, numbered 1 to 10, on condition that they be placed
on view in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy, and to be marked or labelled as
' Deposited by the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland.' "
" The Schedule.
1. A Stone with Cup -and -Ring Markings.
2. Several Planks of Crannoge Timber, showing Mortices.
3. A selection of Pottery, &c., from sundry Crannoge Finds outside the county
of Kilkenny.
4. Various Fragments of Sepulchral Urns.
5. A Necklace of Stone Beads.
6. A Stone Mould for a Celt. -
7. Sundry Skulls— Two from Kilkenny, one from Louth, three extra European.
8. Small Stone Box from Louth.
9. Portion of a Pastoral Staff.
10. A Bronze Vessel with many inserted pieces.
L. The Rubbings of Sepulchral Brasses (say one-third) to be retained for the
Society's Rooms."
The Society then adjourned to 8 o'clock, p.m.
PROCEEDINGS.
133
Evening Meeting.
The Society again met in the Rooms at 8 o'clock, p.m. ;
Thomas Deew, r.h.a., Vice-President, in the Chair.
The following Papers were read, and referred to the Council : —
il Notes on the Archaeological Tour to the "Western Islands of Scotland — Iona "
(Illustrated by Lantern Slides), by P. J. O'Reilly, Fellow.1
*' The Domestic Buildings of the Church of the Holy Trinity in the Fifteenth and
Sixteenth Centuries," by James Mills, m.r.i.a., Fellow.
The remaining Papers were taken as read, and referred to the
Council : —
"The Stone Crosses of Uifearmaic, Co. Clare," by Dr. George U. Mac Narnara,
Hon. Local Secretary, North Clare. *
" The Augustinian Houses of Clare, Killone, and Inchicronan, Co. Clare," by
T. J. Westropp, m.a., m.r.i.a., Fellow.
" Relations of the King of Connaught with the King Of England in the Twelfth
and Thirteenth Centuries," by H. T. Knox, m.r.i.a., Fellow.
" The Identification of Slan, Co. Mayo," by H. T. Knox, m.r.i.a., Fellow.
The Society then adjourned.
1 The substance of this communication is incorporated in the account of Iona,
page 173.
134 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
SCOTTISH ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOUR of the ROYAL SOCIETY
OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND in conjunction with the
CAMBRIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.
Route.
The places of interest in Scotland visited were —
1. Sanda Island — Cross and St. Ninian's Church (see Captain White's
" Archaeological Sketches in Kintyre and Knapdale "). [See p. 151.]
2. Kildalton Crosses and Church, Island of Islay, seven miles from
Port Ellen (see R. C. Graham's " Sculptured Stones of Islay"). [See
p. 154.]
3. Passing up the Sound of Islay to Oronsay, to see the Priory,
Monuments, Inscribed Stones, and Crosses (see Mac Gibbon and Ross,
" Ecclesiastical Architecture of Scotland "). [See p. 161.]
4. Crossing the Firth of Lorn, and passing up the Sound of Iona, the
well-known Crosses and Ecclesiastical remains at Iona, west of the Island
of Mull, were visited. [See p. 173.]
5. Sailing north-west, the ecclesiastical remains on the Island of
Tiree were visited. [See p. 188. J
6. Passing west of Rum Island, the Island of Canna was visited,
to see the Ancient Cross (depicted in Stuart's " Sculptured Stones of
Scotland"). At Canna there is a fine natural harbour. [See p. 198.]
7. Sailing up Little Minch into Dunvegan Loch, Isle of Skye, the
Town and Castle of Dunvegan were seen ; the latter is the residence
of The Macleod of Macleod ; a portion of the house is said to have been
built in the ninth century. [See p. 201.]
8. Crossing Little Minch to the Outer Hebrides, Rodil in Harris was
seen (Church with curious Sculptures). [See p. 211.]
9. Passing through the Sound of Harris, and sailing north-west, the
next call was at Eilean Mor, on the Flannan Islands, to see the Ancient
Church of St. Flannan, Bee-hive Oratory, &c.
10. The next call was at Callernish Stone Circles, Island of Lewis
and Dun Carloway Pictish Tower, on the west of Lewis Island, six
miles north of Callernish.
PROCEEDINGS.
135
11. A successful landing was made at North Bona, in the North
Atlantic, to inspect the Early Christian Oratories (see Dr. Joseph Ander-
son's " Scotland in Early Christian Times"; Muir's " Ecclesiological
Architecture"; and Mac Gibbon and Ross, "Ecclesiastical Architecture
of Scotland").
12. The Stone Circles of Stennis, near Stromness, Maeshowe, and
Kirkwall Cathedral, Orkney, were next visited (see J. R. Tudor's
" Orkney and Shetland " ; Sir H. Dryden's " Kirkwall Cathedral" ; and
Fairer' s "Maeshowe").
13. Sailing south to Keiss Bay, Caithness, the ancient Brochs, or
Pictish Towers, now under investigation by Sir Erancis Tress Barry,
Bart., m.p., Keiss Castle, were, by his kind permission, visited.
14. In the return journey, passing down Sleat Sound, round Ardna-
murchan Point, and through the Sound of Mull, Eilean Mor, in the
Sound of Jura, at the mouth of Loch Swine, was visited (Cross and
Stone-roofed Church).
15. Sailing south through the Sound of Jura, the party visited
Gigha Island, off the west coast of Kintyre, to see a reputed Ogam-
stone, the only one ever heard of in the west of Scotland ; after which
the steamer returned to Belfast.
The steamer left Donegall-quay, Belfast (opposite the office of the
Belfast S.S. Company), on Tuesday morning, June 20th, at 10 o'clock,
and returned on Wednesday, June 28th, at 8 o'clock, a.m.
This Excursion was undertaken by the Society at the request of
some of the leading Archaeologists of the United Kingdom, to enable
places and objects of great Antiquarian interest to be visited, otherwise
inaccessible except at considerable expense, and a good deal of incon-
venience.
The Directors of the Belfast Steamship Company gave, for the use of the party,
their favourite Express Passenger Twin-screw Steamer " Magic.'"
The S.S. "Magic " was built by Messrs. Harland & Wolff in 1893 ; gross tonnage,
1640 tons; length, 322 feet ; breadth of beam, 39 feet; and is fitted up with large
and well ventilated State Rooms, Dining Saloon, Smoke Eoom, Promenade Deck,
Ladies' and Gentlemen's Bath Rooms, &c, and has electric light throughout. The
catering was done by the Steamship Company, comprising first-class cuisine — break-
fast, lunch, dinner, and tea.
The lifeboats of the Steamer (eight in number) were used for landing the party.
The li Magic" has accommodation for 220 first-class passengers in berths, but
for the greater comfort of the party, and to avoid crowding, the number was limited
to 130.
Tickets were issued by the Belfast Steamship Company at £10 each, on 8th
May, to those members who made the application, in the proper form, to the Hon.
Secretary, at the specified date.
The Irish Railway Companies gave the usual facilities of return tickets at single
1X6 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
fares, on the production of a voucher, furnished by the Hon. Secretary ; and for the
convenience of Members residing in England, the Belfast Steamship Company issued
Saloon return tickets — Liverpool to Belfast — for 16/- ; ordinary rate, 21/-, on pro-
duction of a similar voucher. The London North-Western Railway Company, though
applied to several times, refused to grant facilities similar to those given by the Irish
Railway Companies.
The Liverpool Steamer arrived in Belfast between 8 and 9 o'clock, a.m., alongside
the herth from which the " Magic " departed.
The party landed in the ship's boats at the nearest accessible points,
and proceeded on foot to the places visited. Mr. David MacBrayne,
of Glasgow, kindly granted the use of his red boats for landing at
Iona.
Vehicles were procured at Stroniness, kindly arranged for by
Mr. James W. Cursitor, f.s.a. (Scot.), to take the party to Stennis,
Maeshowe and back, on Saturday afternoon, 24th June.
On the return of the party to Belfast on Wednesday morning, 28th
June, an Excursion was made to ''The Giant's Ring" — Cromlech and
extensive Earthworks.
The Lord Mayor of Belfast courteously held an Afternoon Reception
for the members of the Excursion party on that day.
Another Excursion was arranged for Thursday, 29th June, to Port-
rush, Dunluce Castle, and Giant's Causeway.
On Friday an excursion was arranged to Drogheda, to visit Dowtli
and JSTewgrange ; also Mellifont Abbey, and Monasterboice Crosses and
Round Tower.
Facilities were afforded to those who wished to remain for visiting
the chief places of interest in the city and neighbourhood of Belfast.
PROCEEDING'S.
137
Time Table.
[NOTE. — Greenwich time was observed on the Sea-trip.~]
FIRST DAY— Tuesday, June 20 (Accession Day):—
10 a.m. — The steamship left Donegall-quay, Belfast, at 10 a.m. Members
travelling via Liverpool by the Belfast Steamship Company's
steamers, arrived alongside the " Magic" at 9 a.m.
12.30 p.m. — Arrived at Sanda Island (52 miles) ; and after lunch, visited the
Island and ruins, embarking at 2.30 p.m.
2.30 p.m. — Left Sanda Island for Kildalton (36 miles) ; anchored at Ardmore at
4.30 p.m. ; landed in ship's boats and re-embarked at 7.30 p.m.
SECOND DAY— Wednesday, June 21 (The Longest Day) : —
7 a.m. — Landed at Oronsay (29 miles) ; returned to ship at 9.30 a.m.
9.30 a.m. — Started for Iona (29 miles) ; landed and visited ruins, and returned
to ship for lunch at 2 p.m.
2 p.m. — On to Scarnish, Island of Tiree (18 miles); landed at 3 p.tn., and
returned to ship for dinner.
THIRD DAY— Thursday, June 22:—
7 a.m. — Landed on Canna (31 miles) ; returned to ship at 9.30 a.m.
Steamed to Dunvegan (45 miles) ; landed at 12 noon, and returned
to ship for lunch at 2.30 p.m. ; steamed to Bodil in Harris (25
miles), which was visited at 5.30 p.m. ; returned for late dinner.
FOURTH DAY— Friday, June 23 (Midsummer Eve— Full Moon) :—
7 a.m. — Landed on Flannan Isles (56 miles) ; landed at Callernish (30 miles) ;
re-embarked at 2 p.m., and steamed for Loch Carloway (6 miles) ;
landed and visited Dun Carloway, and returned for dinner.
FIFTH DAY— Saturday, June 24 (Midsummer Day— St John Baptist):—
7 a.m. — Landed on North Bona (85 miles), 7 a.m. ; left at^ 10.30 a.m., for
Stromness, Orkney Mainland (93 miles) ; 3 p.m., landed at Strom -
ness ; visited Stennis, 4|- miles distant ; and Maeshovv'e, about a
mile further on ; returned to ship for dinner ; steamed for Scapa
Bay, 1| miles from Kirkwall.
SIXTH DAY— Sunday, June 25 (4th Sunday after Trinity) : —
9 a.m. — Visited Kirkwall for Church ; returned for lunch ; visited Kirkwall
again in the afternoon.
SEVENTH DAY— Monday, June 26 :—
9 a.m. — Landed at Keiss Bay, for Keiss Castle ; visited Brochs there ; and
returned to ship for lunch.
2 p.m. — Started at 2 p.m. for return journey, round Cape "Wrath and Ardna-
murchan Point.
138
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
EIGHTH DAY— Tuesday, June 27 : —
9.30 a.m. — Landed at Eilean Mor (235 miles) at 9.30 a.m., after breakfast ; called
at Gigha Island (16 miles) ; returned to ship at 7 p.m. ; dined on
board ; and —
Reached Belfast (80 miles) on "Wednesday morning — breakfast on
board.
{End of Sea Trip.)
NINTH DAY— Wednesday, June 28 {Coronation Day):—
10.30a.m. — At 10.30 a.m. started in carriages for "Giant's Ring"; Afternoon
Reception by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, at the Exhibition Hall,
Botanic Gardens.
TENTH DAY— Thursday, June 29 {St. Peter's Day):—
9 a.m. — Left by train (Belfast and Northern Counties Railway Terminus) for
Portrush, Dunluce Castle, and Giant's Causeway ; returned to
Belfast.
ELEVENTH DAY— Friday, June 30 : —
7.30. a.m. — Left by train (Great Northern of Ireland Railway Terminus) for
Drogheda to visit the Valley of the Boyne, Dowth, Newgrange,
Mellifont Abbey (ruins of), and Monasterboice Round Tower and
Crosses.
ROBERT COCHRANE, F.S.A.,
Hon. Gen. See.
Gaelic Words in Sailing Directions West Coast of Scotland.
Approximate pronun-
Gaelic.
ciation by Admiralty
System.
English Meaning.
Amdn.
-Dill.
,
.... ,
A shealing, or hut.
Abhuinn.
Aven.
River.
Allt.
Alt.
Aru.
Jxi a.
High point.
Uagn.
T> '
x>e.
Jt>ay.
Ban
Ban
J->dU.
White.
xJarr.
.Bar.
Summit.
Bealach.
jjiaiiaK.
A pass, or gap.
Beag.
!}„„
-Bug.
T -Jffln
.Ben.
Ron
Mountain.
Boglia.
Tin no
-Bona.
XVOUll.
Breac.
PvnVnrr
Speckled.
Pnirl nO
Rnm*
JjUUI.
Yellow.
Bun.
Bun.
Foot mouth of river.
Caolas.
J£aolas.
A firth, or strait.
Camus.
Kanius.
Bay, or creek.
Ceann.
Kai-an.
Head.
i^iacn.
Tf lcllllr
.l\.lauK•
Stone.
Cnoc.
Krogh.
"Will nr Irnnll
Jllll, Ol liUOH.
Creag.
Krag.
PlifiP
Crois.
Krosh.
Cross.
Cruach.
±vi uaun.
A heap.
Pari
xteu.
Dearg.
Diar-ug.
Deas.
jji-as.
Doutn.
Pin nn
jjugn.
Plir.lr'
-DldCK.
Tlun
jjun.
"Him
uun.
jviounu, ion.
x!>acn.
ToVn
laKn.
Horse.
Pol-
JCidSU.
-Ciiicdn.
TTlon
-Ciidn.
Island.
vraron.
Garv.
Rough.
UrldS.
VXldS.
Green, or gray.
IxOD.
vtOD.
Pill np 1,ao1. r\f V.Z-.,A
uiu, oi oea& oi Duel.
Gorm.
Gorm.
Pino
.Blue.
Tor
-Eidl .
Woof
vv esc.
Innis, or Inch.
En-nish.
Choice pasture island.
Leac.
Lai-ek.
Slate, or slab.
T i« + n
ijiatn.
T n'o
Gray, or blue.
Lump.
Men 11
Hit! all.
~M"oi oil
lVLdl-d.ll.
Maol.
Mull
1V1U11.
Headland.
JVtoiu teach .
Moen-tiakh.
Moss, or moor-land.
Mor.
Mor.
Great.
OVi nv Oban
V./U, Ul V^UClll.
Ob.
\jl cell, OI IldVCn.
Pnll nr Pnill
JTOllj or J. Ulll.
Jr 01.
Pool, or bog.
Pii«rlh
Jxlldllll.
Rua-gh.
PnrlVin
JxUUIla.
xtua.
A point of land.
Salann.
Sall-unn.
Salt-water bay.
Sgeir.
Ske-ir.
A rock in the oea.
Sgorr.
okoi.
A peak.
Stac.
Stakh.
A steep rock, or conical hill.
Sron.
Sron.
Nose, promontory.
Tolm.
Tollum.
Hillock, or knoll.
Torr.
Tor.
A conical hill.
Traigh.
Tre-i.
Strand, or sand beach.
Tuath.
Tu-a.
North.
Uamh.
Ua.
Cave.
Note — In the pronunciation of Gaelic, dh is very frequently silent ; bh is
frequently pronounced as v.
140
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Names and Addresses of the Members op the Excursion.
Bennett, Charles A., Esq., Lee View, Sunday's Well, Cork.
Bennett, Joseph H., Esq., Blair Castle, Co. Cork.
Biddulph, Colonel Middleton W., j.p., Annaghmore, Tullamore, King's County.
Blosse, E. P. Lynch, Esq., Glanavon, Peterston-super-Ely, Cardiff.
Boustead, Miss, Settlebeck, Sedbergh, Yorkshire.
Bowman, Davys, Esq., Holyrood, Malone-road, Belfast.
Bros, W. Law, Esq., Camera Club, Charing Cross-road, London, "W.C.
Browne, William J., Esq., m.a., m.r.i.a., 5, Crawford-square, Londonderry.
Browne, Mrs. W. J., ,,
Buggy, Michael, Esq., Solicitor, Kilkenny.
Buick, the Rev. George Raphael, m.a.,ll.d., Vice-President, R.S.A.I., Cullybackey,
Co. Antrim.
Burnard, Robert, Esq,, f.s.a., Hillsborough, Plymouth.
Burnard, Mrs. Robert, ,,
Carolan, John, Esq., j.p., 77, North King-street, Dublin.
Clark, George W. O'Flaherty, Esq., Downpatrick.
Cochrane, Robert, Esq., f.s.a., m.r.i.a., Hon. Sec. Roy. Soc. Ant. Ireland, 17, High-
field-road, Dublin.
Coleman, the Rev. A., o.p., St. Catherine's, Newry.
Corbett, D., Esq., f.r.c.s.i., St. Stephen's-green Club, Dublin.
Corbett, E. W. M., Esq., j.p., c.c, Pwll y Pant, Cardiff.
Corcoran, Bryan, Esq., 31, Mark-lane, London, E.C.
Corcoran, Miss, The Chestnuts, Sutton, Surrey.
Crawford, R. T., Esq., Estate Office, Ballinrobe.
Davids, Miss Rosa, Greenhall, High Blantyre, N.B.
Davies, John Hudson, Esq., Netherton Villa, Copthorne-road, Shrewsbury.
Day, Robert, Esq., j.p., f.s.a., President, Cork Hist, and Arch. Assoc., Myrtle Hill
House, Cork.
Drinkwater, the Rev. C. H., m.a., St. George's Vicarage, Shrewsbury.
Drury, George, Esq., 112, Rathgar-road, Dublin.
Earle, Miss, Glynmalden, Dolgelly, North Wales.
Elliott, John, Esq., m.d., 24, Nicholas-street, Chester.
Evans, Miss E., Walmersley Vicarage, Bury, Lancashire.
Evans, Rev. L. H., Vicarage, Rhayader, Radnorshire.
Felix, the Rev. John, Cilcain Vicarage, Mold.
Fisher, the Rev. J., Ruthin, North Wales.
PROCEEDINGS.
141
Fogerty, George J., Esq., m.d., George-street, Limerick.
Fogerty, "William A., Esq., m.d., 67, George-street, Limerick.
Foley, J. M. Galwey, Esq., County Inspector, r.i.c, Ennis.
Frazer, William, Esq., Downshire-road, Newry.
Gray, Mrs., Craigantemple, Poitrush.
Griffith, John E., Esq., p.l.s., f.r.a.s., &c, Bryn Dinas, Upper Bangor, N. Wales.
Griffith, Mrs., ,, ,,
Griffith, Miss Lucy, Glynmalden, Dolgelly, North Wales.
Guilbride, Francis, Esq., j.p., Newtownbarry, Co. Wexford.
Gwynne-Hughes, Colonel W., j.p., d.l., Glancothie, Nantcuredig, Carmarthenshire.
Hayes, Thomas, County Inspector, r.i.c, Eden-terrace, Limerick.
Heathcote, Miss Beatrice, Beechwood, Tatton, Southampton.
Heron, James, Esq., b.e., j.p., Tullyvery House, Killyleagh, Co. Down.
Heron, Mrs., ,, ,, ,,
Horner, Mrs. John, Chelsea, Antrim-road, Belfast.
Hughes, Harry W., Esq., Solicitor, Copthorne-road, Shrewsbury.
Hughes, John F., Esq., Bellevue, Llandilo.
James, Charles H., Esq., 64, Park-place, Cardiff.
James, John Herbert, Esq., 3, King's Bench Walk, Temple; London, E.C.
Jones, the Rev. Canon David, m.a., The Vicarage, Llandegai, Bangor, North Wales.
Jones, the Rev. David, m.a., Llangerniew Rectory, Abergele.
Jones, Mrs. H. Watts, Glyn, Dvvygyfylchi, near Conway.
Kempson, Frederick R., Esq., Roath House, Cardiff.
Kermode, P. M. C, Esq., p.s.a. (Scot.), Hillside, Ramsey, Isle of Man.
Kermode, the Rev. S. A. P., m.a., The Vicarage, Conchan, Isle of Man.
Kerr, Miss Jane, 2, College-avenue, Londonderry.
Kirk, Henry, Esq., Franklin-street, Belfast.
Kirker, Samuel Kerr, Esq., c.e., 180, Duncairn-street, Belfast.
Lawrence, Arthur, Esq., Lavernock House, near Penarth, Glamorganshire.
Lewis, R. Shipley, Esq., Solicitor, Llandilo.
Linton, H. P., Esq., Solicitor, 3, Llandaff-place, Cardiff.
Lloyd-Philipps, F. L., Esq., m.a., Penty Park, Clarbeston-road, Pembrokeshire, Past
President, Camb. Arch. Assoc.
Maconachie, the Rev. J. H., b.a., Erindale, Cliftonville-avenue, Belfast.
M'Crum, Robert G., Esq., j.p., Vice-Chairman, County Council, Milford, Armagh.
Macfadyen, J., Esq., 26a, Renfi eld- street, Glasgow.
M'llwaine, Bobert, Esq., Secretary, County Council, Downpatrick.
Mahony, T. H., Esq., Clonard, Blackrock-road, Cork.
Mahony, J. J., Esq., Fort Villas, Queenstown, Co. Cork.
Martyn, Edward, Esq., d.l., Vice-President, P.S.A.I., Tillyra Castle, Co. Galway.
Milligan, Miss Alice L., The Drift, Antrim-road, Belfast.
JOUR. R.S.A.I., VOL. IX., PT. II., OTH SER, M
142 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Milligan, Seaton F., Esq., m.r.i.a., Hon. Provincial Secretary for Ulster, Bank
Buildings, Belfast.
Moffatt, the Rev. Dr., 1, Palmerston Villas, Rathmines, Dublin.
Morgan, Colonel W. Llewellyn, r.e., Brynbriallu, Swansea.
Moriarty, the Rev. Ambrose J., n.u., The Cathedral, Shrewsbury.
Morris, tbe Rev. Canon Rupert IL, D.r>., f.s.a., St. Gahriel's Vicarage, 4, "Warwick-
square, London, S.W.
Morrogh, Henry H., Esq., 5, Charlemont-terrace, Cork.
Munro, Robert, Esq., M.A., m.d., Son. Secretary, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland,
48, Manor-place, Edinburgh.
Munro, Mrs. Robert, 48, Manor- place, Edinburgh.
\
Neill, Sharman D., Esq., 12, Donegall-place, Belfast.
Neill, Mrs. Sharman D., ,, ,,
Nichols, Mrs., Xjlbrack, Doneraile, Co. Cork.
O'Keeffe, P., Esq., m.d., Mountjoy Prison, Dublin.
O'Leary, the Rev. Edward, p.p., Ballyna, Moyvalley, Co. Kildare.
Owen, the Rev. Canon Trevor, m.a., f.s.a., Llangedwyn, Oswestry, Hon. Secretary,
Camb. Arch. Assoc.
Phillips, J. J., Esq., c.e., Architect, 61, Royal Avenue, Belfast.
Phillips, J. W., Esq., Solicitor, Tower Hill, Haverfordwest.
Plunkett, Thomas, Esq., m.r.i.a., Enniskillen.
Quan- Smith, S. A., Esq., Bullick Castle, Co. Dublin.
Richardson, Miss, Craigantemple, Portrush.
Scott, William Robert, Esq., m.a. (Dubh), 4, Murray-place, St. Andrews, N.B.
Scott, Mrs. W. R.,
Sherlock, Miss Rose, Sherlockstown, Sallins, Co. Kildare.
Sheridan, Mrs. E., St. Helen's, Rathgar, Dublin.
Sbackleton, George, Esq., Anna Liffey Mills, Lucan, Co. Dublin.
Shackleton, Mrs., Anna Liffey House, Lucan, Co. Dublin.
Simpson, Mrs., West Church Manse, Ballymena.
Small, John Francis, Esq., Solicitor, Coroner, Hill-street, Newry.
Smyth, Mrs. E. Weber, 73, St. Stephen's-green, Dublin.
Spurrell, Walter, Esq., Carmarthen, South Wales.
Stewart, the Rev. Josepb A., m.a., Killowen, Lisburn.
Stirrup, Mark, Esq., f.g.s.l., High Thorn, Bowden, Cheshire.
Stoney, Robert Vesey, Esq., c.e., d.l., Rosturk Castle, Westport, Co. Mayo.
Strangeways, William N., Esq., Breffni Villa, Eglinton-road, Donnybrook, Co. Dublin.
Tate, Alexander, Esq., c.e., Rantallard, Belfast.
Tate, Miss, ,, „
Taylor, A. Grimwood, Esq., m.a., Solicitor, St. Mary's Gate, Derby.
PROCEEDINGS.
143
Tempest, William, Esq., j.p., Dundalk.
Thomas, the Ven. Archdeacon, m.a., f.s.a., Llandrinio Rectory, Llanymynech,
Oswestry, and The Canonry, St. Asaph, Chairman of Com., Camb. Arch. Assoc.
Thomas, R. M., Esq., Town Clerk, Carmarthen, South Wales.
Thomas, Mrs. R. M., 21, Picton-terrace, ,, ,,
Thomas, T. H., r.c.a., Esq., 45, The Walk, Cardiff.
Thomas, the Rev. W. Mathew, m.a., Billinghoro' Vicarage, Folkingham, Lincoln-
shire.
Trench, Thomas F. Cooke, Esq., d.l., m.r.i.a., Millicent, Sallins, Co. Kildare.
Trench, Mrs. Cooke, ,, ,, ,,
Truell, Henry Pomeroy, Esq., m.b., j.p., d.l., Clonmannon, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow.
Turner, Robert, Esq., Solicitor, English-street, Armagh.
Vachell, Charles Tanfield, Esq., m.d., 11, Park-place, Cardiff.
Watkins, Arthur M., Esq., m.d., Dodington, Whitchurch, Salop.
Webster, William, Esq., Solicitor, 35a, Church-street, St. Helens.
Westropp, Thomas Johnson, Esq., m.a., m.r.i.a., Son. Provincial Secretary for
Leinster, 77, Lower Leeson-street, Dublin.
Wigham, Miss, Albany House, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.
White, James, Esq., m.d., Kilkenny.
White, Mrs. R. Blair, Ashton Park, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.
White, W. Grove, Esq., ll.b., Crown Solicitor, 18, Elgin-road, Dublin.
Williams, H. Whiteside, Esq., Solva, Pembrokeshire.
Williams, the Rev. R. E,, Braunston Rectory, Rugby.
Committee.
Rev. Dr. Buick, m.r.i.a., Vice-Pres. Roy. Soc. Ant. Ireland.
Robert Cochrane, f.s.a., Hon. Gen. Sec. Roy. Soc. Ant. Ireland.
Edward Martyn, d.l., Vice-Pres. Roy. Soc. Ant. Ireland.
Seaton F. Milligan, m.r.i.a., Son. Prov. Sec. for Ulster.
Dr. Robert Mtjnro, Hon. Sec, Society of Antiquaries, Scotland.
Rev. Canon Trevor Owen, f.s.a., Hon. Sec. Camb. Arch. Assoc.
Yen. Arciid. Thomas, f.s.a., Chairman of Com. Camb. Arch. Assoc.,
Thomas J. Westropp, m.a., m.r.i.a., Hon. Prov. Sec. for Leinster.
M 2
144 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Bibliography of the "Western Islands and Peincipal Antiquities
of Scotland.
Martin's " Western Islands of Scotland," a.d. 1703.
Pennant's "Tour (1772) in Scotland, and Voyage to Hebrides," 1790.
Macculloch's "Description (Geological, &c.) of Western Islands," 1819. Three
vols. ; plates.
Daniel's " Voyage, West Coast of Scotland," vol. iii., with plates, 1818.
T. Garnett's " Tour through Highlands and Western Islands," 1811.
Boswell's " Tour to the Hebrides with Dr. S. Johnson," 1775.
"Lewisiana, or Life in Outer Hebrides" (W. A. Smith), 1874.
u Studies in the Topography of Galloway " (Sir Herbert Maxwell), 1885.
" Celtic Scotland " (Dr. W. F. Skene) ; three vols. ; 1877.
Gregory's " History of the Western Highlands and Isles" (1493-1625), 1836.
Buchanan's "Hebrid Isles," 1883.
Gordon- Cumming's " In the Hebrides," 1883.
Hugh Miller's " Cruise of the Betsey.'"
" History of the Hebrides under Norwegian Rule"; "Chronica Regum Manniae et.
Insularum" (Professor P. A. Munch of Christiana), 1860.
Sir Walter Scott's " Lord of the Isles."
" Legends of the Isles" (Poems by C. Mackay).
Montalembert's "Monks of the West," vol. iii.
" Encyclopedia Britannica," Article — Hebrides.
,, Article — Gaelic.
,, „ Article — Colomba.
"Life of St. Columba, Founder of Hy," by Adamnan, edited by Bishop Reeves.
" Island of Sanda" — Article in Proceedings, Royal Irish Academy, vol. viii., p. 132r
by Bishop Reeves.
" Scotland in Pagan Times " — Rhind Lectures in Archaeology (Dr. Joseph Anderson) ;
two vols. ; illustrated; 1883-1886.
" Scotland in Early Christian Times" — Rhind Lectures in Archaeology (Dr. Joseph
Anderson); two vols. ; illustrated; 1881.
" Place-Names of Scotland" (Rev. J. B. Johnson, b.d.), 1892.
Captain White's "Archaeological Sketches in Kintyre and Knapdale," 1873-75.
" Ecclesiological Notes on Islands of Scotland " (T. S. Muir), 1885.
" Carved Stones of Islay " (R. C. Graham), f.s.a. (Scot.), 1895.
" Ecclesiastical Architecture, Scotland" (Mac Gibbon and Ross) ; three vols. ; 1897.
" Sculptured Monuments of Iona and Western Highlands" (J. Drummond), 1881.
" Cathedral of Iona " (Bishop Ewing), 1866.
" Iona" (Duke of Argyll), 1870.
*' Oronsay and its Monastery— Iona's Rival " (F. C. E. M'Neill).
PROCEEDINGS.
145
'" Romance of Skye " (Maclean).
"William Black's Novels.
" A Painter's Camp in the Highlands " (Hamerton).
Article — Harper's Monthly, vol. vii., page 67 — " Gossip re Western Highlands"
(W. Black).
Article — Harper's Monthly, vol. xvi., pp. 489-780-944.
"Journey to the Hebrides" (E. R. Pennel) ; illustrated.
" Ossian and the Clyde " (Rev. P. Hately Waddell), d.d.
"Characteristics of Old Church Architecture in the Mainland and Western Islands "
(T. S. Muir), 4to, 1861 ; illustrated.
"Notices of Bee-hive Houses in the Outer Hebrides " — Proceedings of Society of
Antiquaries, Scotland, vols. iii. and vii. (Capt. F. W. L. Thomas) ; illustrated.
"The Duns of the Outer Hebrides" — " Archseologia Scotia," vol. v., 4to (Captain
F. W. L. Thomas).
" A Voyage round the Coasts of Scotland and the Isles " (James Wilson) ; 8vo; two
vols. (Edinb. : 1842.)
" Historical Account of the Ancient Culdees of Iona and of their Settlement in
Scotland, England, and Ireland" (Dr. Jamieson) ; illustrated; 1811.
" The Culdees of the British Islands as they appear in History " (Bishop Reeves), 1864.
*" The Orkneys and Shetland : their Past and Present State " (the late J. R. Tudor),
1883.
The Church of St. Magnus, in Orkney" (Sir Henry Dryden, Bart.), 1871.
"Sculptured Stones of Scotland," Spalding Club (John Stuart), 1856-67.
" The Cathedral or Abbey Church of Iona" (the Messrs. Buckler) ; illustrated ; 4to ;
with some account of the Early Celtic Church, and of the Mission of St. Columba,
1866.
■"The Monks of Iona " (J. S. Mac Corry), 1871.
" Prehistoric Remains of Caithness " (S. Laing, with notes by T H. Huxley), 1866.
"Notices of Runic Inscriptions discovered in the Orkneys " (James Farrer), 1862.
"Maeshowe," illustrations of Runic Literature, &c. (J. M. Mitchell), 1863.
"Essay on the Age and Uses of the Brochs and Rude Stone Monuments of the Orkney
Islands and the North of Scotland" (James Fergusson), 1877.
'" Notes on the Structure, Distribution, and Contents of the Brochs, with special
reference to the question of their Celtic or Norwegian Origin " — A Reply to
Mr. James Fergusson' s Essay (Dr. Joseph Anderson) ; Proceedings of Scottish
Society of Antiquaries, vol. xii., pp. 314—355.
"The Scottish Brochs: their Age and their Destruction" (James W. Cursitor,
f.s.a. (Scot.)), 1896.
■"Celtic Antiquities of Orkney" (Lieut. F. W. L. Thomas, r.n.) — " Archseologia,"
vol. 34, p. 98.
Diagram Map of Route, Scottish Archaeological Tour, Royal Society of Antiquaries-
of Ireland.
\The Dotted Lines show the Route. ~\
PROCEEDINGS. 147
Introductory.
When a Scottish Archaeological Tour, chiefly among the Western
Islands, was resolved upon by the Society, it was not so much with the
intention of giving the members an opportunity of exploring a new
chapter of archaeology, as with a view that they should investigate
in the Hebrides what is admittedly a characteristic postscript to the
history of Celtic Art, Archaeology and Ecclesiology.
There may be a few antiquaries to whom the postscript has more
interest than the original chapters, but Irish Archaeologists have often
looked to the Western Highlands and Hebrides with longing as to
pastures new in which they might expect to find peculiar developments
of the arts of ancient Erinn, in which Celtic art may often be found
to have been intensified, but in which during the progress of the ages
its individuality naturally became absorbed and transformed by the
changing fashions of the mediaeval epochs as well as by political and
social environments. The subject was one upon which our late
Vice-President Bishop Reeves delighted to hold converse, and to write
about ; his researches representing Scoto-Celtic art and Ecclesiology
were far reaching and very painstaking, and undertaken at a time when
research was much more difficult than at present. His monograph
respecting the shrine of St. Patrick's Bell and the details of its art-work
is a classic on the subject, and the results of his explorations in Iona,
and visits to Tiree and Coll, Kildalton, Sanda, and elsewhere in the
Hebrides (in preparation for his work of editing Adamnan's Life of
St. Columba), have been given to this and similar Societies in Ireland
and to various archaeological publications. It was therefore with great
certainty as to what was in store for the members of this Society, and
of the kindred associations who joined in this interesting. tour, that this
excursion was planned.
The following notes are compiled, not so much as a comprehensive
guide, but as an aid to the study, in the very limited time at disposal on
the spot, of the objects and places laid down in the itinerary. Certain
books mentioned in the Bibliography given at page 144 may, with
profit, be perused before starting ; but the grammaire de grammaire of
Scoto-Celtic art will be found in the Rhind Lectures in Archaeology,
1869 to 1872, by Dr. Joseph Anderson, referred to frequently in the
following pages.
Such an important undertaking as the present tour could not have
been attempted if it had not been for the experience gained in the
cruises around Ireland in the " Caloric," in the summers of 1895 and
148
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
1897, which gave so much satisfaction to the archaeologists who took
part in them ; nor would the labour involved in planning and
working out the details of such a trip for 1899 have been undertaken
but for the solicitations of the leading archaeologists of the United
Kingdom, amongst whom Dr. Munro, Honorary Secretary of the
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, may be named as one who from the
first was most enthusiastic in his support. In our former trips in the
"Caloric," the number was limited to eighty; but as a longer cruise
was anticipated, it became desirable to get a larger vessel, and after
careful consideration of all the ships available and suitable, the splendid
S.S. " Magic," the best offered, was chartered, and the number to be
The Steamship "Magic."
taken was fixed at 130, which, while just sufficient to remunerate the
Steamship Company, gave the largest party which could conveniently
be landed in the boats, or managed on shore.
This extension of the numbers made it possible to invite the members
of the Cambrian Archaeological Association to join, while at the same time
enlarging the archaeological field, and enabling another Celtic nationality
to take part in the proceedings. It is interesting to note that four out
of the five Celtic nationalities are represented, and if any of our Breton
friends had been present the Celtic gathering would have been complete.
The determination of a route had engaged attention for the past twelve
months, and the views of about a score of representative archaeologists
PROCEEDINGS.
149
were obtained, which eventually resulted in the selection of the places now
•settled on. A very general wish was expressed to limit the period to eight
•days on sea, and at the same time to keep down the cost to that at which
it has been fixed. This limit to the time has caused the daily programme
for the first part of the voyage to be rather crowded, but with reasonable
expedition the work set out can be accomplished. There will, however,
be no time for dawdling. In the last half of the trip there will be much
more time in which to carry out the programme, which can be done more
leisurely.
In the preparation of the Guide there was no difficulty in getting
valuable material for the purpose. One of our members, Mr. J. J.
Phillips, c.e., Architect, who in company with the Eev. Dr. Buick,
Vice-President, had spent a holiday in yachting around the Inner
Hebrides, and had visited all the islands he has described, gives
most interesting Papers on Sanda, Kildalton, Oronsay, Tiree, Coll,
Canna, and Dunvegan. Mr. John Cooke, m.a., whose recent stay in
Iona has given him an intimate knowledge of the subject, contributes
a description of the island and its antiquities, which is supplemented
by Mr. P. J. O'Reilly, Fellow, who so graphically described and
illustrated, in his lecture on the 12th April last, at a general meeting
of the Society, the principal points of interest to be seen on the
tour. To Dr. Joseph Anderson, Keeper of the National Museum, and
Assistant Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, members are
indebted for the communications on Callernish and Dun Carloway in
Lewis, as also for the papers on Stennis and Maeshowe, while the notice
of the recent investigations of the Keiss Brochs, by Sir Francis Tress
Barry, Bart, m.p., is the more valuable on account of his having spent
some time ac Keiss last summer, so that this contribution is the result of
recent personal examination. The illustrations of Keiss are from photo-
graphs taken by Sir F. T. Barry, kindly furnished by Dr. Anderson.
Mr. James W. Cursiter, p.s.a. (Scot.), of Kirkwall, an enthusiastic
collector and able antiquary, furnishes interesting notes of Kirkwall
and the locality, and in the course of a lengthened correspondence,
writes to say that he will be delighted to show his collection to
members on the occasion of their visit. It is a matter for congratulation
that he has also kindly consented to act as "guide, philosopher, and
friend" to the party while on Orkney Mainland.
As regards the illustrations, which it is hoped will be found a
pleasant feature of the Guide, thanks are due to the following — To
Mr. J. J. Phillips for the series of sectional maps and photographs
taken by him ; Be v. Dr. Buick for photographs.: Dr. Anderson for
obtaining from the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland permission to
reproduce drawings of Maeshowe, illustrations of Kildalton Cross, and
•of Canna, Dunvegan, Rodill, and Stennis. To the well-known publisher,
Mr. David Douglas, of Edinburgh, for the loan of blocks, illustrating the
150 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
antiquities on Sanda, Tiree, Coll, Elannan Isles, North Rona, Eilean
Mor, and Gigha Island, from Muir's "Ecclesiological Notes on the-
Western Islands of Scotland," he has also courteously allowed the
illustrations for Iona and Kirkwall Cathedral to be reproduced from the
valuable work, by Messrs. MacGibbon and Ross on the " Ecclesiastical
Architecture of Scotland," also published by him.
The valuable assistance given freely by Dr. Joseph Anderson
deserves grateful acknowledgment ; he has throughout evinced the
greatest interest in the success of the expedition, and has contributed
materially to the value of the present Guide Book.
Mr. Seaton E. Milligan, Hon. Prov. Sec. for Ulster, has been inde-
fatigable in his exertions in carrying out the arrangements at Belfast
m connexion with the Steamship Company, and, without his valuable
assistance, it could not have been brought to so successful an issue.
St. Columba's Pillow-stone, Iona Cathedral, (-roth size.)
PROCEEDINGS.
151
SECTION I.
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1899.
THE ISLAND OF SANDA.
The Island of Sanda, at the western entrance to the great estuary of
the Clyde, lies about one and a half miles from the south-east end of the
peninsula of Kintyre (Cantire). Associated with it are several smaller
islets and reefs, not very interesting.
In the times of the Scandinavian irruptions, it had-an importance
as the station of the galleys of the Norsemen during the contests for the
possession of Cantire and the Clyde islands.
Bishop Beeves1 tells us " the received name of the island is of Norse
origin," but the Irish name is Abhuinn, of which Aven, as it is known
1 Vide an interesting memoir by the late Bishop [Beeves in the Ulster Journal
of Archceology, vol. ii. , p. 217.
152
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
among the Highlanders, is merely a variety. Fordun, in the fifteenth
century, calls it Insula Awyn ; and Dean Munro, at the close of the
sixteenth, Avoyn ; while George Buchanan latinizes it Avona, which he
interprets "portuosa," as if a deflexion of "haven." The sand-stone,
of which Sanda is composed, is elevated to the north, the dip being to
the south. At its hilly end, it is about 300 feet high, while on
some of the shores it is broken into cliffs. A large natural arch in
one of these cliffs forms a very picturesque
object.
The landing-place is at the pier, in a shingly
bay on the north side of the island, from which
an ascending path leads directly across to the
Ship Rock, a rugged peninsula, upon which is
perched the lighthouse.
The chief objects in Sanda of interest to the
antiquary will be easily found near to the land-
ing-place, and consist of the ruins of a chapel,
dedicated to St. Ninian, on the north of which
there is a massive cruciform standing-stone about
7 feet in height, with a weather-worn boss on
one face ; a few yards to the west of it is a simple
erect slab, about the same height, having incised
on its west face a Latin cross, with some Scoto-
Celtic peculiarities.
It is on record1 that " in the island of Sanda
was found the arm of Saint Ultan, which, en-
closed in a silver reliquary, was religiously
preserved in the early part of the seventeenth Cross, Sanda island. (From
century by a descendant of the distinguished ^stroppY M"' Thonias J"
race of MacDonnells."
The ruined Chuech of St. Ninian measures externally 32 feet
9 inches by 21 feet 3 inches ; the doorway on the north-west side is flat-
headed, the jambs being plain chamfer-edged. The windows are flat
lintelled, and irregularly placed as in plan ; the window in the eastern
gable is not central, and there is nothing in the western gable to indicate
that there had been a window at that end of the church, which must
have been very ill-lighted and gloomy. On the south side of the high
altar there is a small projecting piscina of circular form. When Muir
visited it in June, 1866, he states that,2 "lying within the church
are the bowl of a baptismal font, and a poor slab inscribed, ' Macdonald,
1682,' and pictured with a galley and sword."
1 The Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, vol. viii., pp. 132, 135.
2 Muir's " Ecclesiological Notes of the Scottish Islands," pp. 7, 267.
inii-
' 'i r it'll
:\
X
s-fiiii
PROCEEDINGS.
153
There are various accounts as to the dedication of this church ;
according to the best received account, it was originally dedicated to
Cross, Island of Sanda.
St. Ninian ; according to another account, it was dedicated to St. Columba;
and in a third account1 to St. Shenaghan, who is said to have come
Transactions of Cambridge Camden Society, p. 80.
154 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
We are informed,1 "the first name in all the Scottish Calendar, and
presumably the first bringer of Christianity to Scotland, was St. Mnian
of Withorn, born 360 a.d. ; his name also appears as Ringan and Einan.
Ground Plan, Church of St. Ninian, Sanda Island.
He is commemorated in twenty -five churches or chapels, extending from
Ultima Thule to the Mull of Galloway."
Kild alton — Island of Islay.
The island of Islay, and particularly the south-eastern end of it,
lying so near Ireland, was one of the favourite routes by which in the
sixth and seventh centuries the colonization of Western Scotland and
the Hebrides was accomplished. The whole district is strongly im-
pressed with social and ecclesiastical features of the Celtic type. The
language always bore the name of the colonists, and the Scottish
Gaelic or "Erse" of the present day is only a modern modification
of it.
But the objects in Islay which chiefly interest Irish archaeologists are
the stone monuments and carved stone crosses, the characteristics of
which can be best studied in Kildalton grave-yard as a preliminary to
those of Oronsay, and Iona, and elsewhere in the Hebrides. "The
1 Johnson's " Place Names of Scotland," p. 92.
PROCEEDINGS.
155
€arved Stones of Islay" forms the subject of a very beautiful monograph
by Mr. R. C. Graham ; it is a book which, for its illustrations and the
English Miles-
accompanying text, should be carefully studied. The following short
extracts will be of interest : —
" The written history of Islay is fragmentary, and the monuments of her past are
no less so ; but for all that, they extend over a lengthened period, from the days of
laill forts, and standing monoliths, until later times when, in the great days of the
"Western Church, the island became covered with chapels, under whose protecting walls
there are still to be seen many of the exquisite crosses and gravestones which form so
peculiar and interesting a feature of the Western Highlands.
" There are about a hundred examples of cawed work in this island alone. Many of
these are so much worn and defaced that only indications of their designs can be traced,
but the remainder are of the greatest interest, some indeed being works of art in the
fullest sense of the term. The stones belong to various periods. There are little
■crosses rudely cut on undressed slabs of stone, and these are probably the most ancient.
Then in the crosses of Kildalton and Kilnave, and in the cross-bearing slab found at
Doid Mhairi, now in the garden at Ardimersay, there are examples of a style which
seems to have been directly derived from Ireland ; but far the greater number belong
to the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries, when the art assumed and
156 110 YAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
retained its special Argyllshire character, the plaited work of the Irish monuments
developing into the richly foliated scrolls, which form one of the great beauties of
the West Highland carving.
" The Irish origin of the style is generally allowed. Probably it was modified or
altered to some extent during the period of the Norwegian occupation, but before the
art attained its highest development, there seems to have come another influence which,
accepting the beauty of the older patterns, avoided their angularities, and enriched
rather than changed them. Whence this last influence came, if it did come, I do not
know ; but, as many of the Argyllshire churches were built about the thirteenth century,
it seems conceivable that stone carvers were brought from the south to work at them,
and that some may have remained in the country employed in the sculpture of crosses
and monumental slabs, for which there must have been a great demand, if we judge
from those which, in spite of bad weather and worse neglect, still lie crumbling in the
churchyards. . . .
" One marked feature of the Islay stones is the number of crosses which they include.
There are remains of no less than seventeen, of which a few are in excellent preserva-
tion, though the majority are more or less broken. Many of these show exceptionally
good work ; indeed more care seems generally to have been bestowed upon crosses than
upon tombstones, and those of Islay are no exception to the rule. The iconoclastic
spirit which followed the Reformation probably accounts for the rarity of crosses in the
west, and for the mutilated condition in which they are commonly found. Stones
which bear representations of the crucifixion are often found broken, while neighbour-
ing monuments with subjects less calculated to arouse sectarian prejudice have escaped
intact. . . .
" Not only are there many chapels and graveyards to be found all over Islay, but, as
may be seen from an Ordnance map, there are a great number of hill forts, and sites of
forts, which can hardly now be traced. . . .
" Besides the hill forts there are remains of later fortifications, held at one time by
the lords of the Isles. These consist of a castle on Island Finlaggan, another on a little
island on Loch Gorm, and the castle of Duniveg at the south of the island.
" The place-names of Islay throw little, if any, light on her history, except that the
number of Scandinavian names points to the importance of the early Norwegian
settlements."
Landing at Ardniore, Kildalton is not far from it, and will be easily
found as on the map. The ancient grave-yard contains many objects of
great interest to the Irish Archaeologist, of which detailed lists and
descriptions are given in Graham's "Carved Stones of Islay," to which
we are indebted for the following abstracts : —
" Kildalton Church is eight or nine miles from Port Ellen, and stands between the-
road and the sea. It measures 56| feet long by 20 feet wide, and the walls are 3 feet
thick. The masonry is peculiar, the side walls being composed of about ten courses of
rudely shaped stones, with smaller ones between. There are doors both on the north
and south side, and each door is provided with a long bolt-hole. There are two pointed
windows in the east, and one small window high up in the west gable. There are also
two windows in the north and south walls at the east end of the building.
" All the windows are round-headed, with the exception of those in the east wall.
The doors and windows were originally faced with white sandstone. On the north
and south walls, just to the west of the chancel windows, there are holes both on the
ground level, and at seven feet up, which look as if they had been connected with a
rood or chancel screen at some time. Traces of plaster are to be seen on all the-
walls.
PROCEEDINGS.
157
The Geeat Ceoss of Kildalton. — This cross stands 9 feet high, and
is a monolith. It now stands erect on the spot it formerly occupied,
with the same stone as basement, though part of it is hidden by the new
steps, by being built into the foundation, in the hope of making it more
secure. Dr. Joseph Anderson thus describes this beautiful object 1 : —
" The fine cross at Kildalton, Islay, is one of two examples of the type with the
encircling glory now remaining erect in Scotland, the other heing St. Martin's Cross at
Iona. This type is a common one on the cross-slabs of Pictland, and the high crosses
of Ireland mostly show the same form. In its ornamentation, however, the Kildalton
Cross is much more distinctly related to the Scottish group of crosses than to the Irish
group. In the general scheme of decoration on the Irish high crosses the Crucifixion is the
central subject on the face, and Christ in glory on the other, the spaces on the arms,
shaft, and summit, being filled in with scenes from Scripture. It is characteristic of
the Scottish crosses of dates prior to the twelfth century, however, tbat the represen-
tation of the Crucifixion rarely occurs, and the scheme of decoration is usually more
largely composed of panels of ornament, than of panels filled with figure subjects.
" On the Kildalton Cross the obverse alone presents figure-subjects. These are
placed in the four arms of the cross, almost equidistant from the centre. Taking them
in their order from the top downwards, there are first two angels side by side, and
below them David rending the jaws of the lion, with a sheep (to indicate the flock) in
the background. The same subject occurs on the cross at Kells, and on that at Kil-
cullen, in both cases with a sheep in the background. Underneath again are two birds
facing each other, and feeding from the same bunch of grapes— a very common emblem
of early Christian times, though of rare occurrence in Britain. The subjects in the
two panels at the extremities of the arms of the cross are more obscure, but that on the
right may be the sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham. There is an altar placed between the
two figures. The smaller figure is in the act of placing something (the wood) on the
altar. The larger figure holds a knife or sword in the right hand, while with the left
he grasps the youthful figure by the hair, as in act to slay him. The group in the
upper part of the shaft — the virgin and child, with two angels shadowing the central
figure with one wing each, while the other wing droops by the side — is not open to
doubt. The angels are clothed like those in the summit of the cross, and the Virgin
seated and crowned.
" But the ornamentation of the cross, which is carried out with an intensity of
elaboration and refinement thoroughly characteristic of Celtic work, is not less interest-
ing than its symbolism. The scheme of decoration is on both faces similar. A rope-
work border is carried along the outlines of the cross, and the central space is filled by
a circular moulding of the same kind, which just touches the inward curves at the
intersections of the shaft, arms and summit, and is, of course, concentric with the
larger circle of the ' glory ' which binds all together. The whole surface is then
divided into fifteen panels, each filled with a complete design. On the obverse, six of
these are filled with symbolic figure subjects, and nine with patterns of ornament.
The central circle has a boss in the middle of the space, projecting fully 3| inches.
This boss is formed of interlacements of the legs and bodies of four lacertine creatures,
whose heads project at the four corners. Bound the boss on the flat is an interlacement
of two strands, with a figure-of-eight knot. Next to the central circle are three panels
or spaces, two in the arms and one in the shaft, filled up with patterns made up of
bosses formed of the interknitted bodies of serpents, the anterior portion of their bodies
escaping and curving away on the flat to form the borders and divisions of the patterns.
1 " Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland," vol. v., New Series,
March 12, 1883.
JOUR. R.S.A.I., VOL. IX., PT. If., OTH SER. N
158 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
" Underneath the group of the Virgin and child is a long panel on the shaft, filled
with a beautiful and most elaborate pattern, symmetrically formed of five groups of
triple spirals, the members of which escape and re-enter, while the flat spaces between
the principal members are filled with a diaper of escaping spirals derived from these,
Kildalton Crosi — East Face.
which run into bosses, wind up to their centres, and again escape to run off on the flat,
and form other bosses, so that the whole of the sculpture is built up on a kind of
mathematical plan, and every detail is dependent upon and connected with all the rest
PROCEEDINGS. 159
in a system of spiral curves. The elaborate ingenuity of this species of decoration is
only understood after an attempt has been made to reconstruct its details on the flat by
the analogy of similar patterns, which may be studied in the illuminated Book of
Lindisfarne, as shown in the Palceographical Society's facsimiles.
Kildalton Crosi — West Face.
"Turning now to the reverse, the two lower panels on the shaft are treated as one
design symmetrically arranged in two parts, the one of which repeats and balances the
other, but with some variations in the arrangement and in the details. Each part
N 2
160 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
consists of a pattern made by four larger and four smaller bosses arranged round'a
central boss, with a triplet of still smaller bosses in each of the spaces between the
larger ones. Two of the four larger bosses in each case have an open concavity at the
top, in the centre of which is a little boss, or prominence. All the larger bosses are
constructed of the interknotted posterior portions of the bodies of serpents, the anterior
portions of which escape from the bottom of the boss and curve away on the flat to form
the interlacing border lines that enclose and complete the design. The wasting of the
stone makes it uncertain whether the smaller bosses are not also made up of interlacing
serpents, but there is no doubt that this is the theory of the design, and the Celtic
sculptor never shrank from a detail which was clearly involved in the construction of
his design. The upper panel on the lower part of the shaft is filled with a design com-
posed of bosses, formed by a series of escaping spirals proceeding from a central boss,
having a hollow in the top with a triplet of small bosses in its interior. In this case
again, every detail of the design is connected with all the others, the spirals which form
the diaper over the flat surface rising to the top of each of the bosses and running the
reverse way, to, escape again at the bottom and curve along to form another boss.
Round the circle enclosing the great central boss are four lions, carved in very^high
relief, the two in the arms facing each other, but the two in the shaft and summit
both facing upwards. The heads of all the four are gone, the tails of the two in the
arms have the conventional wave over the back, while those of the two in the shaft
and summit sweep down on the flat and curve away to mingle with the serpentine
interlacements there. The four large bosses, viz. the great central boss and the three
in the extremities of the arms and summit, are formed in the same way as the others,
of the bodies of serpents interlaced or knitted up, the heads and anterior portions
escaping to form interlacements on the fiat. Four lacertine animals with heads turned
backwards, biting their own tails, are added to complete the design in the summit of
the cross. The ring or ' glory ' uniting the shaft, arms, and summit, which is less
weatherworn on this side, shows alternating patterns of interlaced work and fretwork
in the four quadrants."
PROCEEDINGS.
161
SECTION II.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1899.
COLONSAY AND ORONSAY.
These Islands lie about ten miles west from Jura, and about nine miles
due north of Islay (see General Chart of Itinerary). The collective
length of the two islands is about twelve miles, of which Colonsay is
about nine and a half miles ; and the fertile island of Oronsay lies as
a pendant to the south of it. The narrow strait by which they are
separated becomes dry at low water.
The geographical connexion of these two islands is thus very intimate,
and their geological structure is identical ; they form, in fact, but two
parts of one chain of hills, the highest of which does not exceed
800 feet. The predominant rock is micaceous schist, generally attended
with numerous and conspicuous contortions, and often presenting a
smooth and glassy surface.
Among the sandhills on the south-eastern shore of Oronsay there are
several shell-mounds of the period of the Early Stone Age. These,
especially the largest of them, known locally as Caisteal-nan-Gillean,
opposite to the islet of Ghurd-mail, when explored by Mr. Symington
Grieve and Mr. "W. Galloway (1881-84), were found to contain a series
of implements of bone and stone (including flat harpoons with barbs on
both sides) analogous to those from the Oban Caves, and closely corre-
sponding with those from the intermediate layers in the Cavern of Mas
d'Azil in France, which M. Piette attributes to the transition between
the Palaeolithic and the Neolithic. At Oronsay these implements
were associated with the remains of common indigenous shell-fish
and fishes, and with bones of the still existing red deer, wild boar,
grey seal, common seal, otter, and marten, also remains of wildfowl,
including the wild swan, guillemot, razor-bill,- and the now extinct
great auk, or garefowl. (See Symington Grieve' s monograph on the
great auk or garefowl, London, 1885, pages 47-61 ; and a paper by
Dr. J oseph Anderson in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries
of Scotland, vol. xxxii., page 806, " On the contents of a small Cave
162 KOYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
or Rock Shelter at Druimvargie, Oban, and of three Shell-mounds in
Oronsay.")
The party will land in boats in the sandy bay, Port-nan-Each, at the
eastern side of Oronsay ; and the remains of the priory, with its two
fine crosses and monumental sculptured slabs, will be reached by a
pleasant walk of about fifteen minutes over the sandy green sward. This
priory nestles at the foot of the southern slope of Ben Oran, the highest
hill on the islan d(306 feet high). From this hill magnificent views can
be obtained, the chief feature being the Paps of Jura, with Islay to the
south, and in favourable weather the Donegal mountains on the horizon
to the south-west.
In " Adamnan," Colonsay is called "Colosus"; there are various
suggestions as to the derivation of the name, but the best authorities
consider that the derivation is Columba's or Colum's Isle ; in the tenth-
century Norse, Columba being' called "Koln," with the Norse ending
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163
u ay " for isle ; similarly we find Or an s- Ay, Oran's Isle. The conjunction
of the names of these two famous Celtic saints was but natural, Oran
or St. Odhran was the Irish friend of St. Columba (died 548).
Traditions narrate that St. Columba and his fellow-voyager, St. Oran,
landed on Oronsay after leaving Erin, but finding that the latter country
could be still seen from the highest point of the island (Ben Oran), they
forsook it, and sailed north to Iona. The ancient name of this hill was
"Carncul-ri-Eirinn," or, " the pLice where he turned his back toward
Erin."
Fear Ben Oran, on an adjoining hill or rock, is an old fortress,
Dun Domhnuill, on the top of which there are stone circles, which are
probably the vestiges of stone bee-hive houses of very early times.
There are numerous remains of churches which once existed in these
islands; the vestiges of nine ancient churches, and the sites of three
more (ten in Colonsay, and two in Oronsay) being still traceable.
According to the records, the most important was the monastery of
Kiloran in Colonsay, of which no remains now exist ; but there is to be
seen on the site, a fine cross, 5 feet 4 inches high ; the summit of
the stone is carved into the representation of a man's head (figured in
Dr. Anderson's work, " Scotland in early Christian Times," p. 121). At
Kilchattan there are slight remains of a chapel, a burying ground, and
two standing-stones, called " Carraghean." There are several duns or
forts in Colonsay, strongly fortified, in view of each other, and of
Dun-Domhnuill.
The Prioky of Oronsay, which is the principal object of our visit,
contains many objects of great interest to the archceologist. This
Priory of Canons Regular of St. Augustine appears to have been
founded as a cell of the Abbey of Holyrood, Edinburgh, in the fourteenth
century, by John of Isla, the son of Angus Oig, and chief of the clan
Donald, who, through his wife, became possessed of many of the western
islands, and, uniting her possessions to his own, assumed the title of
Lord of the Isles. It must in its prime have been a very influential
monastic establishment, as there are unmistakable evidences that the
original priory included the site of the manor house, and the extensive
farm buildings. It falls to the lot of few abbeys to have been
so carefully conserved by modern owners as the Priory of Oronsay.
E. C. E. McNeill, Esq., is the author of a very interesting monograph,
entitled, "Oronsay and its Monastery, Iona's Rival," which is well
worthy of perusal, as is also the description of the priory buildings given
in vol. iii., MacGibbon and Ross's " Ecclesiastical Architecture of
Scotland," from which we make the following extract : —
Oronsay Priory.
" The general arrangement of the "buildings is peculiar. The ground slopes
rapidly from north to south, necessarily carrying the drainage with it ; yet, contrary
164 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
to the usual custom, the cloisters and residential buildings were placed to the north of
the church. Exclusive of the projections at the north-east and south-west angles, and
a mortuary chapel on the south, the structures occupy a parallelogram about 87 feet
from north to south, by 65 feet from east to west. The latter length is also that of the
church proper, which occupies the south side of the square, but has at the west end a
narthex about 15 feet square internally, which projects beyond the general range of
the buildings. The walls of the narthex are now level with those of the church, but
as there are roughly hewn corbel stones for carrying a floor overhead, it is probable
this is only the lower stage of a bell-tower, of which the upper part has been long
since demolished. The greater thickness of the walls, and two sadly injured freestone
buttresses on its south face, favour this idea. Entrance is obtained hy a doorway
with a plain pointed freestone arch, having a hood moulding close to the westmost
buttress. The church is, internally, nearly IS feet in width ; and at the right hand,
on entering, there remains the solid foundation of a stone stair leading to a tribune or
organ -gallery, recesses for the ends of massive beams to carry it being still visible,
together with rough rubble corbelling on either side.
" On the left is a narrow doorway, neatly formed with thin schist stones, leading
to the cloisters. Internally, the church is entirely devoid of architectural decoration ;
but an extensive range of stalls, of which traces still exist, and other wood-work,
including an open roof, must have redeemed an otherwise bald interior, into which
very little light can have been admitted. The principal source of light was a 5 feet
wide window at the east end, divided by mullions, into [three lanciform lights, the
pointed arch-heads of which run up to the main arch. The other gable is modern, and
PROCEEDINGS.
165
forms the entrance porch to what may have formerly heen the chapter-house, hut
which has heen appropriated in recent times as a hurial-place hy the proprietor of the
island. Apart from this there were only three windows in the nave, two very small,
and another rather longer with a cusped head, all formed in freestone, and on the
extreme east end of the south wall near the altar, a square-headed window with slab
lintel and sill. Between these windows a plain schist doorway gives access to the
mortuary chapel of the M'Duffies or M'Fies, which is about 25 feet long by 12 feet
wide over the walls. These are unbonded into the south wall of the church, and
were covered with a plain lean-to roof, in which ; there was evidently a priest's
apartment. The chapel is lit from the south by two small windows, and in a recess
on the north side is the burial-place of Abbot M'JDufne, covered with a carved slab,
Uronsay Priory. East window and gable.
representing the abbot fully vested, with his right hand raised in benediction, and a
pastoral staff in his left. Pennant says : — * In the same place is a stone enriched
with foliage, a stag surrounded with dogs, and ship with full sail ; round which is
inscribed, " Hie jacet Murchardus Macdufie de Collonsa, a.d. 1539, Mense Mart. Ora
me ille, Ammen." n Beyond this chapel, at the south-east angle of the church is a
singularly massive buttress, at the bottom of which, on the level of the floor, and
accessible by a narrow opening from the interior of the church, is a curious ambry,
about 3 feet cube, strongly lintelled overhead, and designed, no doubt, for the safe
keeping of the church treasure, but is now desecrated as a 'bone-hole.' The altar
still remains built of freestone, evidently re-used from some previous building.
Pennant, vol. ii., p. 271.
166
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
" On the north side of the chancel the arrangement is very peculiar, an opening
about 8 feet wide, with a plain pointed freestone arch resting on schist impost caps,
gives access to a kind of trance or passage, having an ambry at the ground level on
the left, and a blocked up window on the right. It is formed between the north wall of
the church and the south end of the chapter-house, which is gabled independently of
the church. Its only apparent use may have been as a sacristy. It is roofed in by
large flat stones, with a rapid slope to the east. The east range of buildings is pretty
complete, except on the north, where the gable fell some years ago. On the ground
floor a large apartment, 19 feet 6 inches long, by 15 feet 4 inches wide, with a doorway
entering on the east cloister- walk, was no doubt the chapter-house.
" The range of domestic buildings on the north has been sadly ruined, this having
been the point where entry was obtained in recent times, for the removal of materials,
Oronsay Priory. View in cloister. Prom a photograph by Rev. Dr. Ruick.
and thus of the north and south walls only fragments remain. A massive wall, still
happily intact, encloses the cloister on the west. The internal area is rather over 41
feet square, with cloister-walks about 7 feet broad, and the arcacling presents some
very singular features.
" Cloister. — The south arcade, which is evidently the most ancient, is composed of
five low narrow arches with circular heads, very neatly turned with thin schist slabs,
without any freestone or architectural dressing of any kind. The other three arcades
were evidently part of a later restoration, and the peculiar form in which they were
constructed is evidently due to the nature of the materials employed, viz. schist
slabs of the same quality as that used for the sculptured slabs.
" The north range of the buildings, which no doubt contained the refectory and
PROCEEDINGS.
167
dormitories, has been too much dilapidated to admit of any intelligible description.
In a line with it, however, and extending eastward beyond the priory square (see plan),
there is a small chapel of very early character, bnilt entirely in rubble, without any
freestone dressings. It is 17 feet over the walls, and 33 feet in breadth ; but
for no apparent reason the west gable is slewed round to the south, making an
inequality of 2 feet in the length of the sides. There has been a wide window in the
east gable, but owing to the demolition of the wall its character cannot be judged.
There are two small windows in the north side and one in the south, mere slits with
no provisions for frames or glazing. There is an entrance doorway on the south side
at the west end, and a priest's door at the east. On the north side there is a very
small door, nearly opposite that of the entrance on the south.
" The foundations of the altar still remain, and a line of stones still indicates the
position of the chancel rail. The base of the pulpit remains on the north side, and at
the west end there has been a tribune or organ gallery, which has been accessible by
a door in the east gable of the priory buildings. In this gable, on the ground floor,
an archway has been formed 6 feet 8 inches in width, with a plain pointed rubble
arch, which seems to have been subsequently filled in, and a square-headed doorway
of much smaller size substituted.
" Immediately to the north of this chapel, and separated from it by an 8 foot wide
passage, is a most interesting example of a monastic barn and byre, 39 feet in length,
by 22 feetin breadth. It is an excellent specimen of rubble building, with freestone
dressings in the windows, &c, in the same style as the church, and may be coeval
with the later restoration. The windows are small, and on the north side close to the
ground are openings for the discharge of refuse from the byre. In the south-east
angle a small chamber has been formed for the herd, with a little eyelet and ambry, and
it would no doubt be cut off by partitioning from the other occupants. At the south-
west angle there is a small door opening inwards, and some indications that a chamber
had been formed between the building itself and the north wall of the priory. At
the south wall head (internally) there has been inserted a 4 or 5 foot long schist slab,
with a quaint human head carved in the centre.
" It serves no purpose where it is, and must evidently have been a relic of some older
structure. There can be no doubt there was a doorway to the west, but, if so, the
present entrance shows no traces of it. The building is still roofed, and in use."
In Mr. McNeill's monograph of Oronsay Priory, reference is made on
page 23 to a curious chamber in the south-east corner of the chancel, and
adjacent to the altar ; this chamber is entered by an opening in the
wall, 18 inches wide, the interior space of 3 feet square being obtained
in the thickness of a buttress, evidently erected for the purpose.1 This,
though primitive in its construction, is a good example of an ancient
Sacrament house, ambry, or tabernacle, in which the sacred vessels of
the church were appointed to be kept. Eeference is made to the article
on Scottish Sacrament Houses, which appeared in Proc. Soc. Antiquaries
of Scotland, 1890 to 1891, by A. Macpherson, f.s.a. (Scot.). It has been
suggested, however, that possibly this chamber may have been the cell
of an anchoret.
1 See page 165, ante (last paragraph).
168 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
The Ckosses, etc.
Cross No 1. — In the graveyard close to the south-west angle of the
narthex, stands the Great Oronsay Cross. "We present illustrations
of the east and west faces. It is a monolith, 1 2 feet 2 inches high, by 1 foot
6 inches wide, and 4£ to 5 inches thick, and is socketted into a thick
slab, about 3 feet 3 inches square, which rests on a pedestal of masonry
nearly 4 feet high.
On the west face of the cross is a crucifix, sculptured in high relief,
with a back ground of irregular interlacing ornament.
The Irish archseologists of the party, accustomed to the pure type of
interlacing work, spirals, and fretwork, and other distinct characteristics
of Celtic detail in the crosses of the mother country and elsewhere, will
be puzzled by the strange foliageous scrollwork which is the prevailing
characteristic of the decoration of both sides of this celebrated Oronsay
cross. It will also be noticed that the arms and summit of the cross
protrude from a solid circle at the top of the shaft, that there are no
recesses at the intersections, nor is the disc or circle pierced, and that in
fact, both in outline and in ornamentation, the cross, " perhaps the best
specimen of its type," is a very degenerate rendering of the Opus
Hibernicum. We are informed by Dr. Joseph Anderson1 that "this
ornamentation is Celtic only in the secondary sense of its being an
adaptation of a local survival of Romanesque forms, which were
imported from the Continent, and passed over to the western Highlands,
and flourished in complete isolation there for centuries after the native
sculpture of the eastern area had given place to the current forms of
European art. The pure Celtic art of Scotland is that of the eastern
area, which retains the forms and preserves the spirit of the primary
school, which worked out its designs with such wonderful skill and
patient elaboration on the pages of the Gospels and Psalters, and
transferred them subsequently to the metal-work and stone-work of the
period intervening between the age of the best manuscripts and the
twelfth century."
This cross is supposed to have been erected to the memory of Colin,
a prior, who died in 1510; as it bears the inscription, Hcec est Crux
Colini Filii Cristi. On the socket-stone there is a much-worn inscrip-
tion which it is impossible to decipher.
Cross No 2. — Standing in a pile of masonry at the north-east of the
priory buildings is the lower stone of the shaft of another cross, 3 feet
3 inches high, one of its faces worn smooth, the other covered with
intertwining scrollwork of stems, terminating in broad-leaved foliage.
This stone is surmounted by a disc which did not belong to it originally,
judging from the character of its sculpturing (we are informed that
1 " Scotland in Early Christian Times," Second Series, p. 130.
Oronsay Great Cross (No. 1). West face.
O 1 _J 3 -J J>
Oronsay Great Cross (No.jjjl). East face.
171
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some years ago it lay in the graveyard). The disc or head of the cross
has'a recess or cusped niche sunk in one of its faces, within which is
From a Photograph by Rev. Dr. Euick.
sculptured in bas-relief the figure of an ecclesiastic curiously robed;
172 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
In Mr. McNeill's monograph of Oronsay Priory will be found an
interesting account of many of the beautiful tomb-stones and monuments
Tombstones, Oronsay Priory. From a photograph, by Rev. Dr. Buick.
so carefully preserved in the priory. The above illustration shows a
few of those tomb-stones placed on end against a wall, prominent
amongst which is one recently found, on the head of which is carved
PROCEEDINGS.
173
a galley with reefed sail, and surrounded by emblems of an artificer
— hammer, anvil, and rule. It probably marked the last resting-place
of the craftsman who was engaged in the erection of this priory.
IONA.
Iona lies west of Mull, from which it is separated by the troubled waters
of Iona Sound, between one and two miles wide. It is somewhat barren,
and no trees grow on its wind-swept surface. It is 3£ miles long by
1£ miles broad, and contains an area of about 2000 acres. The present
name may probably be derived from a Latin adjective I-oua (quali-
fying insula) which Adamnan usually calls it, due to an error of tran-
scription for Iova. Its original name was lor Sy ; it subsequently became
known as Icolmlcill, the island of St. Columba of the Church. The little
inlet where he and his companions first landed is known as Port-na-
Currach. The low hill above it is called Carn-cul-ri-Erin, the cairn of
farewell to Erin, for from its summit no trace of Ireland lies upon the
distant horizon.
Of the buildings of St. Columba' s time there are now no remains.
The interesting ruins in Iona are of mediaeval foundation ; and their
present well-preserved condition attests the care bestowed upon them
by the Duke of Argyll, whose family have held possession of the
island since the close of the seventeenth century. Their recent restora-
tion was carried out under the careful direction of Dr. Bowand
Anderson, of Edinburgh.
The monastic history of Iona divides itself into two epochs — the
Columban, or primitive, or Irish era, and the Benedictine or mediaeval
one. Eounded by Colunib in the middle of the sixth century, the
monastery of Iona remained for almost seven hundred years an Irish
settlement governed by a line of Columban abbots, the first twenty of
whom were coarbs of Colunib- cille and wielded jurisdiction from Iona
over the Columban monasteries of Ireland ; while the remainder of them
were subject to Columb's successors governing their order from Kells or
Derry. The latter arrangement was due to attacks made on Iona
by Norse sea-rovers who despoiled it for the first time in 795, and again
raided it in a.d. 802. In 806 the community, already reduced to 86 in
number by these incursions, were exterminated by the Norsemen ; and
the Abbot Cellach, who governed the order from a.d. 802 to a.d. 815,
and was the twentieth successor of St. Columb, fled to Ireland, and,
establishing himself at Kells, made the latter the head-house of his
order. The Norse attacks continued ; and in a.d. 850 Kenneth MacAlpin,
SOVll. R. S.A.I. , VOL. IX., PT. II., OTH SEE. O
174 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
the first king of the united Picts and Scots, removed portion of the
relics of Columb-cille from Iona to Dunkeld ; the latter was erected as
the mother-church of the Columban order throughout Scotland, and
Iona ceased to be the seat of the primacy of Columb-cille. It has been
suggested that the Columban abbacy ended with Duncan MacMaenagh,
whose death is recorded in the Irish annals at a.d. 1099, and that a
priory of Culdees, or anchorites, succeeded the Columban abbey, because
from the date of Mac Maenagh's death the Irish annals are silent as
regards Iona for fifty years. The entry in the "Annals of Ulster" at a.d.
1154, quoted by Dr. Skene in support of this opinion, which relates how
" The Chiefs of the Family of la; Augustine the Sagart Mor; Duibhsidhe,
the lector ; MacGilladuibh the Disertach ; and MacForcelaigh the Head
of the Culdees," went to Deny to endeavour to induce Flaherty
O'Brolchain to take the abbacy of Iona, seems to me to afford complete
proof that the Columban monastery existed on Iona contemporaneously
with the later Culdean community in the first half of the twelfth
century.
Numerous references to Iona occur in Irish annals relating to this
Columban period of its history, but these references cease suddenly with
two entries recording events which happened in the year a.d. 1203. The
first of these records the death of Domhnall O'Brolchan, "prior et
excelsus senior," who, as Dr. Reeves believed, was Prior of Derry and
probably also held the Priory of Iona ; and the last, and closing, entry
states that " a monastery was erected by Cellach without any legal right,
and in despite of the Family of Hy, in the middle of Cro Hy " ; and
relates how many of the Family of Derry and the clergy of the north of
Ireland passed over into Hy, and "in accordance with the laws of the
Church," " pulled down the aforesaid monastery."
" This passage," says Dr. Reeves, "is the parting mention of Iona
in the Irish annals, and as it closes a long line of notices running through
seven centuries, it leaves the island as it found it, in the hands of Irish
ecclesiastics and an important outpost of the Irish Church."
Since Dr. Reeves wrote thus, documents discovered in the archives of
the Vatican have shown that the Irish annals were subsequently silent
as regards Iona, because Reginald, Lord of the Southern Isles (who died
in 1207) had founded on it a nunnery for " black " or Benedictine nuns,
and a monastery for "black" or Benedictine monks, and that the
Benedictine monastery had supplanted the old Columban one. In a naval
battle, fought in 1164, Somerled, King of Argyle, had wrested Iona and
the remainder of the southern Hebrides from Godred, the Norse King of
the Isles. This Somerled it was who had advised the community of
I to endeavour to induce the energetic Flaherty O'Brolchain, Abbot,
and subsequently Bishop, of Derry to accept the Abbacy of I; audit was
his son and successor, Reginald, who introduced monks of that branch of
the Benedictine order, whose head-house at Tyron in the diocese of
PKOCEEDINGS.
175
Ohartres had been founded in 1109 by Bernard, Abbot of St. Cyprian, to
Iona.
A Papal letter, dated December 12th, 1203, and addressed to
" Celestinus, Abbot of the Monastery of St. Columba of Hy," recites
that a monastery had been erected on Iona " according to God and the
rule of St. Benedict." This identifies the Cellach of the Irish annals who
clearly is identical with the Celestinus of the Eoman document. Not-
withstanding that Cellach's church in Gleann-na-Teampull in the middle
•of Cro Hy was so ruthlessly pulled down by the irate Ulstermen, the Bene-
dictines made their foothold good ; Iona passed into their hands, their
monastery flourished on the ruins of the Columban foundation, and it
is chiefly the wreck and remnant of it which to-day remains.
Poet Bonan.
Through all the vicissitudes of its existence the site of the monastery
of Iona, and the area over which most of its dependent chapels were
distributed, seem to have remained the same — a gently-sloping plain
(little more than half a mile in length from north to south, by quarter to
half a mile in width from east to west) descending to the sea about mid-
way on the island's eastern shore from the rocky ridge which forms
its backbone. The names of two of the small coves which indent the
-coast of this portion of Iona bear witness to the neighbourhood of the
adjoining monastery.
Port-a-MJmilinn is so called because the stream which turned the
monastery's mill discharges itself into it ; while the name of Port-na-
Ifuinnter, the Harbour of the Family or Community, showed that it was
the landing-place usually used in olden times by those who occupied the
monastery.
Save for the boats which still bear to Iona many of the Highland
dead upon their journey to their last resting-place, and which invariably
discharge their burden at Port-na-lfairtear, the Harbour of the Martyrs,
the present landing-place is usually the little pier, half rock, half masonry,
which juts into the water at Port Bonan. This cove is opposite the
southern end of Threld, the only village on the island : a single line of
houses, mostly poor and small and thatched, and the best of which
accommodates a general shop and the post office.
At the northern end of this small village, called by the islanders
"The Street," the site, but the site only, of Adamnan's Cross is pointed
out. Here at Port Bonan visitors are usually landed, and from hsrethey
usually begin their examination of the ruins of the island by following
the roadway which ascends the slope westward from the pier to the
JSTunnery.
0 2
176 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND
The Nunnery.
This Nunnery was that founded for "black " or Benedictine nuns by-
Reginald, whose sister, Beatrix, was its first abbess ; and which is
mentioned in the Papal Letter of a.d. 1203.
A more ancient nunnery, which probably was connected with the
Columban monastery of Iona, is said to have existed on the little island
called ffilean-na-mban, the Island of the Women, which lies in the
Sound, close to the shore of Mull, and nearly opposite the abbey church
of Iona, and on which, some years since, there were traces of a building
called by the country people " The Nunnery."
m-s-r
\ r
i. o mm
The Nunnery, Iona. Ground-plan,
The ruins of the Nunnery of Iona consist of the foundations of a
cloister about 68 feet square, which is bounded on the north by the
convent church, on the east by the lower portion of the walls of the
chapter-house, the stone seat of which remains, and by those of other
offices ; and on the south by the foundations of what once was the
PROCEEDINGS.
177
refectory. An upper story, in which the dormitories were probably
situated, existed above the chapter-house and other offices which formed
the lower portion of the cloister's eastern side ; but no vestige of any
building exists upon the western one.
The church, now greatly ruined, is described by the old Statistical
Account of 1765 as being then quite entire, one end of it arched, and
very beautiful. An oblong structure, about 58 feet long by 20 wide, it
was divided into nave and choir, and upon its northern side there
was an aisle extending almost the full length of the church. To
this aisle three round-headed arches in the north wall of the church
gave access.
The Nunnery, Iona. View from North-'West.
The choir, which was vaulted, and was about 20 feet in length,
occupied the east end of the nave. Its floor was raised about 2 feet
above that of the latter, and it was lighted by two pointed windows
which were separated only by a narrow pier. A doorway in the north
wall of this choir gives access to a small vaulted sacristy or chapel,
occupving the east end of the aisle ; and above this sacristy is a small
apartment lighted by a little pointed window in its northern wall, and
approached by a staircase constructed in the thickness of the same. The
aisle was probably at one time further divided into two chapels by
a wall carried across it to the easternmost of the two central columns
supporting the arches in the north wall of the church. A tall, round-
headed, inward-splayed window in the west wall ; another smaller
window of the same type above it ; two others in the clerestory of the
178 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
northern wall ; and, probably, two more in the south wall, lighted the
nave. A peculiarity of this church is that the clerestory windows are
placed above the columns, not above the arches which the latter bear.
The vaulted choir and the sacristy adjoining it are believed to date from
the commencement of the thirteenth century when the nunnery was
founded ; the nave, aisle, and the apartment above the sacristy, though
believed to be of somewhat later date, are probably not much less
ancient.
This mediaeval Nunnery flourished for almost four centuries. Its last
abbess, Anna, died in a.d. 1543. A memorial of her exists here in a fine
monumental slab on which she is depicted, with hands folded on her
breast, her head resting on a cushion supported by two angels, above
whom are the towers of a castle and a comb and mirror ; the latter,
which are common on the tombs of mediaeval Scottish nuns, being
emblems of the fact that women who forsook the world for the cloister,
left the little vanities of the toilet behind. " Hie jacet Domina Anna
Donaldi Terleti filia quondam Priorissa de Iona que obiit anno mdxliii.,"
is the inscription on this monument. The figure of the prioress occupies
but a portion of the slab, about one-fourth of which was broken off by
the fall of part of the stone vault of thin flags which roofed the choir.
At the feet of the figure of the prioress, a panel bearing the inscription,
" Sancta Maria ora pro me," stretches across the stone, and above this,
on the broken end of the slab, is the lower portion of a figure of
the virgin seated on a throne, her feet resting on the transverse panel;
the two effigies thus facing towards each other. The sun and moon
represented above the Yirgin's head on the detached fragment are
emblems of the title Queen of Heaven. Dr. Skene mentions another
memorial of this abbess, existing at Soroby on Tiree.1
The Nunnery was dependent on the abbey, and, like it and all
Benedictine houses, was under the invocation of St. Mary. A grant
made in 1508 by James IY. of Scotland, terms it the monastery of the
nuns of the most beloved Yirgin in the Isle of St. Columba. Bower,
an Augustinian abbot of the monastery of Incholm, states that in his time
its nuns were Augustinians who wore the rochet. My recollection of the
effigy of the Abbess Anne is not sufficiently distinct to enable me to
say whether it confirms or contradicts this statement ; hntj if the
monument be not too much weathered, the habit in which the last
Abbess of Iona is depicted on her tomb may determine the question
whether Augustinian nuns succeeded the Benedictine ones brought by
Reginald to Iona. The rochet was an over-garment of white linen with
long sleeves, fitting closely to the arms, and ending at the hand. If the
effigy presents closely-fitting sleeves, ending on the wrists beside the
hands, Bower's statement is probably correct.
Close to the nunnery is Temple Ronan.
1 See the description of Tiree, p. 190.
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179
Temple Eonan.
This ruined chapel, which measures roughly 37 by 16 feet, stands
about 30 feet north of the west end of the nunnery church.
It probably is named from the St. Eonan commemorated in the
Scottish calendars at February 7th, and believed to have given name to
the Island of Eona off Lewis, and to that other Eona in the Sound
of Skye, who is supposed to be the person whose death is recorded
by the " Annals of Ulster" in a.d. 737.
The present mediaeval structure, which probably dates from the
fourteenth century, was once used as a parochial church.
Professor Munch found in the archives of the Vatican a Papal
presentation, dated September 10th, 1372, presenting Mactyr, son of
John the judge, and a clergyman of the diocese of the Isles, to the
parochial church of Hy. This rectory must shortly afterwards have
been acquired by the Benedictine abbot, for, in 1380, Macvurich terms
the secular clergyman of Hy, a vicar; and in 1561 the " teindis of
Ycolmkill, called the personage of Tempill Eonaige," were part of the
possessions of the Abbey of Iona.
Following the roadway leading northwards from the Gunnery, the
next interesting object is
Maclean's Cross.
This fine fifteenth or sixteenth century monument stands by the
roadside about 120 yards north of the Nunnery. Carved from a thin slab
of hard whin-stone, 10 feet 4 inches high, the back of its slender
elongated shaft and small unpierced wheel, now turned to the roadway,
is closely covered with a raised floriated ornament that has been
preserved quite crisp and sharp through the hardness of the stone.
The front faces the field on the west side of the road; the centre of the
wheel, on that side, exhibits a small draped figure of Christ crucified,
which is flanked by representations of a dagger on one arm and a
chalice on the other : a fleur-de-lis occupies the panel in the head
above the central figure. Dr. Eeeves says that "the name of this cross
is plainly a misnomer." The nature of its ornament shows that it is a
mediaeval monument, while the presence of the dirk and chalice seems
almost conclusive proof that it is a memorial cross intended to com-
memorate some warrior who had turned cleric.
The fleur-de-lis, which is the crest of the Macauls and Cowies, may
possibly help to identify the family to which the person the monument
was intended to commemorate belonged.
A contingency regarding the name borne by this cross, which seems
to have been overlooked, is that the name may have been originally
applied to an older monument occupying the same site.
The cross is inserted in a slab resting on a pedestal of rude
180
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
rubble masonry which seems much more ancient than the cross. The
Scotch Maclean, or Mac Gilla Eoin is the Gaelic equivalent of the Irish
Malone, or Maol J^oin, and the plinth which bears this cross may,
possibly, have originally borne an older one erected to commemorate
that Maol Eoin who is believed to have been the 27th abbot of Iona and
to have governed it from 1009 to 1025.
Wear Maclean's Cross is
ClLL CAINNECH.
Of this ancient church, which was situated north of the Nunnery and
not far from Maclean's Cross, the site, marked only by some remnants of
the sepulchral monuments of its cemetery, remains. About 350 yards
north of the Nunnery, on the east side of the ancient roadway, called
the " Street of the Dead," which leads from Port na Mairtear to the
Nunnery, and thence northwards to the abbey church, is
Temple Oean,
named from Columb's kinsman Oran, who, though not included in
the list of his disciples, seems to have been the first of his fraternity
who died upon the island, and over whose remains Columb raised the
first church of Hy. Passages in
Adamnan's "Life of Columb"
show that this primitive church
was built of timber, and had an
erdam, or side chamber, which
served as sacristy. This timber
structure was probably super-
seded, at an early period, by a
stone church, that seems to have
St. Oran's Chapel, Ground-Plan. g^en Place in turn to the edifice
now standing, which probably
reproduces the dimensions of its predecessor. The present structure
measures 29 feet 8 inches, by 15 feet 10 inches internally, and is
lighted by two narrow windows, placed opposite each other, at the
eastern ends of its northern and southern walls ; that in the northern
being 2 feet, and that in the southern wall 3 feet high. There is no
east window ; and the altar probably stood in front of a niche in the
south wall, which lies behind the spot traditionally known as Oran's
grave, a spot distinguished in Pennant's time by a plain red slab. A
piscina projecting from the wall beside this niche upon the west would
be correctly placed on the Epistle side of an altar standing in front of
the recess, which is a late mediaeval insertion, surmounted by a canopy,
with a crocketted weather-table, terminated at either end by rude
effigies of animals.
PROCEEDINGS.
181
The doorway is described in almost all guide-books and works upon
Scotch architecture, as a Norman one, but its imposts, jambs, and
capitals are Irish-Romanesque in character, and resemble those of
numerous Irish doorways and chancel-arches, dating from the eleventh
to the early portion of the twelfth century. The ornament of its arch
appears to be distinctly Scotch in style, and of a later period than the
jambs, and there seems to be a difference in the character of the
St. Oran's Chapel. West doorway.
masonry of the upper and lower portions of the wall around the
door. The lower part beside the jambs is built of small stones irregu-
larly laid, and seems to be coeval with the jambs, while the upper
portion around and above the arch is built of larger and better stones
arranged in regularly laid courses, and seems to be contemporaneous with
the south wall and other portions of the building, and with them, and
the coins and arch of doorway, to date from a re -edification of the
182 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
church, which appears to have taken place through the liberality of
Queen Margaret at the latter end of the eleventh century. There can
be little doubt that Temple Oran occupies the site of the first church of
Hy. The early Christian Irish usually interred their dead to the south
and east of their churches, and in cemeteries where but one church
exists they seldom buried to the west, and almost never buried to the
north of it ; so that, apart from tradition, which makes the Temple Oran
the site of Oran's grave, and makes the Relig Oran the chief and most
St. Oran's Chapel. View from west.
sacred cemetery on the island, the site of the former in the north-west
corner of the latter is that which the disposition of the cemetery would
indicate as the probable site of the church around which the famous
Relig Oran grew.
The Relig Oran".
was described by Dean Monro in 1594, when three tombs, " f ormit
like little chapels," bore inscriptions on their gables, stating that the
northern one was the tomb of the jSTorse, the central of the Scottish, and
the southern of the Irish kings. These tombs were probably sepulchral
monuments of the bee-hive class, like those at Kilmalkedar and many
PROCEEDINGS.
183
other ancient Irish churches. All vestige of them has disappeared, and
" certain slight remains, arched within," were all of them that Pennant
could discover in 1772, at a part of the cemetery then called "The
Ridge of the Kings," which probably is identical with the railed
enclosure between Temple Oran and the roadway, that contains the
so-called tombs of the kings. The monuments of this cemetery gener-
ally seem to have been removed from their original positions, and sub-
jected to a species of sorting process, by which tombs of the same
character were gathered into groups. Another railed enclosure, south
of Temple Oran, contains a number of mediaeval slabs, bearing floriated
fc>t. Oran's Chapel. Monument.
ornament or effigies of mail-clad warriors, that are alleged to be tombs
of the Macleans ; the McKinnons and Mc Quarries, who also were
descended from the House of Lorn, and buried in the cemetery, being
ignored.
Of the multitude of sepulchral monuments dating from the Columban
era which the Eelig Oran must have contained, but few remain. One
of these bears, in Irish characters, the inscription, " ffa Op bo TTIail-
pacapic" — "Pray for Maelpatrick " ; an inscription now imperfect
through exfoliation, in the winter of 1852-53, of that part of the stone
bearing the latter portion of the inscription, and which probably com-
memorates " Maolpatrick O'Banin, Bishop of Conor, a man to be
184 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
venerated, full of sanctity of life, mildness and purity of heart," who,
as the Four Masters say, " died at a good old age inHy of Columb-cille."
Another slab is inscribed " Or ar anmin Eogain " — a prayer for the
soul of Eogain ; while a third bears three inscribed crosses and the
fragment of a fourth, and seems to date from the Columban era, and to
furnish an example of the practice of marking the number of interments
made in a grave by the number of crosses incised upon the monument
above it — a practice which a late mediaeval slab here, called u The
Tomb of the Four Priors," shows to have survived in Iona till a
comparatively recent date. The cemetery is extremely small, and does
not seem to have at any time been larger than it now is ; and the
continuous overcrowding, due to its limited area, and the esteem with
which it was regarded, explains the almost total disappearance of Irish
inscribed-stones from it during the seven centuries which have elapsed
since the Benedictines were established on Iona.
The Cathedkal.
To the north lies the Cathedral (St. Mary's), whose low tower is a
most conspicuous object from the surrounding shores and waters of the
Sound. " The Cathedral consists of a nave, central tower, transepts, choir,
south aisle of the choir, and sacristy on north side of choir. The interior
length is 148 feet, and the width across the transepts 71 feet. The walls
of the nave are about 12 feet high, but the remainder of the church
retains nearly the original height. Adjoining the church on the east are
some remains of the monks' dwelling-rooms, and the chapter house, which
is nearly complete, has a double Norman doorway, and retains its vault.
At the north-west angle, outside the nave, are foundations of a cell or
chamber, in which it is said the shrine and bones of St. Columba were
placed. The tower, at the crossing, 70 feet high, rests on pointed
arches. There are four square window openings to emit the sound of
the bells, each filled with different tracery of elegant design and late
date. On the north side of the altar is the monument of Abbot Mackinnon
(d. 1500), on the south of Abbot K. Mackenzie, and in the centre that of
Macleod of Macleod, with effigy in armour. On the south side are three
elegant sedilia, which, together with the fine east window, are in the
Decorated Gothic of the fourteenth century." On a pillar of the north
transept, there are figures of Adam and Eve, and the serpent twined round
a tree. On the second pillar in the south aisle of the chancel is a
carving of the Crucifixion, and an angel with scales weighing good deeds
against evil, and the devil depressing the scale with his claw. Another
pillar has a carving of the banishment of Adam and Eve from the
Garden of Eden. On the floor beneath the east window is an iron cage
made to enclose an ancient stone said to have been the pillow of St.
Columba. It is interesting to note that the eye-stone of St. Columba in
The Ground-plan of Tona Cathedral.
PROCEEDINGS.
187
Glencolumkille, county Donegal, needs no such protection ; though fre-
quently taken for purposes of healing the afflicted, it is always returned
to its place in a niche in the rude stone cell.
The slight eminence to the left is called the " Abbot's Mound,"
and here tradition tells that on the day St. Coluinba died he ascended it
to take a last farewell of his beloved settlement. He blessed it and
said : " Unto this place albeit so small and poor,
great homage shall yet be paid, not only by the
kings and peoples of the Scots, but by the rulers
of barbarous and distant nations with their people
also. In great veneration shall it be held by the
holy men of other churches." This prophecy
has been amply fulfilled ; and out of the thou-
sands who visit it yearly, there must be many
"whose piety "does " grow warmer among the
ruins of Iona," and who come not within the
limits of Dr. Johnson's envy.
To the west of the doorway is St. Martin's
Cross, erected, it is said, to St. Martin of Tours.
It is 14 feet high, 1^ feet wide, and stands on a
pedestal of Mull granite. It is finely carved
with the later Celtic ornamentation and figures.
Near it are the old Well, pointed out as that of
the monastic establishment, and the remains of
two ancient crosses. Pennant says that in his
time stones were on the pedestal of a cross and
were turned round three times in the direction
of the course of the sun, to hurry on the end of
the world, which would happen when the stone
was worn through. The turning of the stones is
well known in Ireland, and one of the uses they
were put to was that of cursing an enemy.
" To the north-east of the abbey is a small
quadrangular chapel, of which the dedication
is unknown ; also a single gable representing
the Bishop's House." — (From the "Hand-book
of Scotland.") 1
There were more of the remains of what is St Martin's Cross, Iona.
called the Bishop's House standing in Johnson's
time, as it had two story s and a chimney.
About a mile distant from the ruins and to the south-west of Dun-ii,
the highest point of the island, are some remains of beehive cells similar
to those in the remote headlands and islands of the west and south-west
By kind permission of Mr. John Murray.
188 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
coasts of Ireland. A little to the north on the way is a fine granite
cross erected by the Duke of Argyll in 1879 to the memory of his first
wife. The island has two churches, and a recently erected house and
chapel for clergy of the Episcopalian Church.
The islanders are generally long-lived ; they retain that true native
Celtic characteristic of giving a friendly welcome to those who come to
stay among them. Nowhere will the stranger be received with greater
kindness and courtesy than on Iona.
Island of Tihee.
Lying five and a-half miles to the north-west of the island of Mull
are the islands of Tiree and Coll, with numerous rocks and small islets
adjacent. The two islands are included in Argyleshire, and, although
separated from each other by Gunna Sound, may, for the researches of
the antiquary and the geologist, be treated as one, as they are in the
Admiralty sailing directions. They should be of particular interest to
the geologists of the party, as they are formed of gneissic rocks, tough
and massive, exhibiting great variety in crystalline structure. These
islands are the first of this geological character which are met, but this
interesting archsean rock will be seen in greater mass and denseness of
structure in the islands of the Outer Hebrides, the chief of which (Harris
and Lewis) are included in the itinerary. In the Outer Hebrides it forms
the backbone or core of the primitive mountain chains, from which much
of the material has been derived that has gone in very ancient geological
times to build up the sedimentary formations of the British Isles. It is
merely mentioned here, en passant, as the subject is of great interest, but,
for fuller details, reference should be made to a publication of Dr.
John MacCulloch,1 and to a series of articles on the Long Island or
Outer Hebrides, by Mr. James Geikie2 ; also to Sir A. Geikie's "Ancient
Yolcanoes of Great Britain."
A landing will be made at Scarnish on the eastern side of Tiree ; the
members can easily travel by road to Soeoby (site of the " Campus lunge''''
of Adamnan) on the south-east portion of the island, in order to examine
the cruciform pillar of granite rising 3 feet 8 inches from a heavy plinth
called Maclean's Cross, the form of which is unique, each face present-
ing the appearance of two distinct crosses, one of them laid against
the face of the other (figured on page 190, from Muir's " Ecclesiological
Notes"). At this place will also be seen the shaft of a cross, decorated
1 "Western Islands of Scotland," vol i., pp. 57 et seq.
2 In " Good Words," 1879 ; also in " Fragments of Earth Lore," by Mr. James
Geikie, pp. 125 et seq.
190 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
on one of its faces with foliage, and on the other with cnrious figures.
Of the ancient church, which Adamnan mentions, no traces remain ; but
the burial ground contains nine ancient slabs, embellished with the usual
devices. In returning, it maybe possible to visit Helipoll and Crossipoll.
If time permits, a short visit may be made to Kirkapoll, at the north of
Kirkapoll bay, to inspect the vestiges of ancient churches in the vicinity,
as well as the decorated tombstones. (For illustrations of door and
tombstone, Kirkapoll Church, see page 193.)
To the Irish archaeologist, the islands of Tiree and Coll have an
especial attraction. In an interesting paper, evidencing great research,
by Bishop Reeves, i we get a very accurate survey of the ancient eccle-
siastical establishments, not merely in Tiree, but including also those in
Coll and Gunna, as the outcome of a visit he paid to the island of Tiree
in the summer of 1852, accompanied by Mr. W. E. Skene, of Edinburgh.
He considered that Tiree was second only to Iona among the numerous
Scoto-Celtic Columban foundations, and identifies it as being the ancient
Ethica Terra, and Ethica Insula mentioned in Adamnan' s " Life of St.
Columba." Ethica is mentionedin "Adamnan" as being some five hours'
sail from Iona, if favoured by a wind from the south-west, and as having
a monastery in the plain of Lunge (Magh Lunge in Tiree), to which
Columba sent a certain penitential Connaughtman to do penance for seven
years.2
If we search Adamnan's 11 Vita S. Columbse " for the early notices of
Terra Ethica, we find that it is, historically and ecclesiastically (if not
geographically), associated with Ireland, as one of the stations chosen by
her most honoured saint, Columba, and that it was a favourite resort of
her most noted pilgrims and ecclesiastics.
We learn from the hagiologists that the Irish ecclesiastics who were
contemporaneous with Columbcille (a.d. 563-595) and with his immediate
successors, were very enterprising voyagers, and frequently visited the
western islands of Scotland to enjoy communion with the holy men who
had settled there. The island of Tiree is frequently referred to as
"Heth" (inregione Heth), (Terra Heth). It is thus mentioned in the
Life of St. Comgall,3 founder of the Monastery of Bangor in the Ards of
Down. St. Brendan, the famous Celtic voyager,4 in the region of Heth,
laid out a church and a village beside it, . . . and after that he took ship
and returned to Ireland." And in the Life of St. Baithene, St. Columba's
immediate successor, we find it mentioned that the Monastery of Campus
Navis was founded by St. Columba in Terra Heth, &c. "We learn from
Adamnan that Tiree was the granary and farmstead of Iona.5 In modern
times, even as late as 1846, it exported a plentiful supply of potatoes to
the Glasgow market.
1 In the Ulster Journal of Archccology, vol. ii. 2 "Adamnan," book n., p. 47.
8 " Vita S. Comgalli," cap. 22. 4 « Vita S. Brendani."
6 "Vita S. Columbae," lib. in., cap. 7.
PROCEEDINGS.
191
The following is Bishop Reeves' accurate description of the eccle-
siastical remains in Tiree and Coll 1 : —
" During the period of Scandinavian rule in the Isles, Tiree seems to
have shared in the general subjugation; at least we may infer, from the
names locally preserved, that a large infusion of strangers took place
among the old inhabitants, introducing such names as Barrapoll, Crossa-
poll, Helipoll, Yassipoll, Kirkapoll, Soroby, Scarnish, Heynish, Hough,
&c, chiefly as agricultural denominations, while the ecclesiastical or
historical features of the island retained the older names of Kilchainnech,
Kilmoluag, Kilbride, Kilwillin, Kilfinnan, Balliniartin, Ballinieanach
Ballinoe, Balliphuil, Balliphetrish, Kennavara. In this way the Teutonic
Poll, or Boll, signifying " a dwelling," came, as a suffix, to be associated
with the cognate prefix, the Celtic Baile, bringing into juxtaposition
names of such remote extraction as Helipoll and Ballinoe.2 .
" Soroby.
1 . Soroby, which is situated over a little bay in the farm of Balli-
martin, in the south-east
side of the island, is now
known as a large and
much-used churchyard,
from which all traces of
its ancient church have
of late disappeared. It
retains, however, a very
curious cross, remarkable
both for its massiveness
and early designs. It is
not half as tall as the
Iona crosses, but is pro-
bably more ancient than
either. It is about 5 feet
high, having a large cen-
tral boss, and set in a
coarse stone socket. In
another part of the ground
are numerous monumen-
tal slabs, similar to those
in Iona. One is deserv-
ing of especial notice,
which appears to have
originally belonged to
SOROBY TIREE
WEST FACE
1 Ulster Journal of Archaeology, vol. ii., p. 238, et supra.
2 See the judicious observations of Chalmers on this subject. — "Caledonia," vol. i.,
p. 266.
P 2
192 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
that great family of crosses for which Iona was once famed. It bears,,
in fine relief, the figure of Death holding by the hand a female eccle-
siastic, and on a panel underneath the inscription : — hec est crux
MICHAELIS ARCHANGELI DEI SOROR ANNA ARBATISSA DE Y.1 The top is
broken off, but it appears to have been a memorial or votive cross
erected during the incumbency of Anna, but afterwards carried away
to Tiree to serve as a tombstone for some obscure individual.
"This spot is, in all probability, the ' Campus Lunge' of Adamnan,,
lying over against Iona, retaining its old relation to the abbacy there,
and though it has assumed a new name, yet partially retaining the old
one by proxy in the little adjoining creek which still is known as Port-
na-Lung.2
11 Kilbride.
" 2. It is a curious fact that there is a spot on the island still called
Kilbride, that is, ' Brigid's Church.' It is on the north side, in the
farm of Cornagmore ; and human remains, which are found here, indicate
a cemetery where a small chapel is known to have existed, the walls of
which were removed to help in building some adjacent cabins.3
" Ardchain.
" 3. The name of another church in the island is preserved by Adamnan
in the title of a chapter, which runs thus : — ' Concerning the presbyter
Findchan, who was founder of the monastery in the land of Eth, which
is called in the Scotic tongue Artchain.'4
"This name is obsolete now, unless it be supposed to have passed
into Ardkirknish which belongs to a spot on the north side in the farm of
Balphetrish, a little to the south-east of the farm-house, where there was
formerly a chapel with its cemetery.
"4. Or it may be in the farm of Kenoway, to the S. "W. of Balphetrish,
where is a rocky space still known as Kilfinnian, having the faint vestiges
of a quadrilateral building measuring about 21 feet by 10, and lying east
and west. Here still-born children have been occasionally buried.
1 This was probably the Soror Anna, whose tombstone remains in the Nunnery of
Iona, and still bears the inscription: — " hic jacet domina anna donaldi terleti
filia qvondam priorissa de iona que obiit anno m°d0xliii." See Graham's
l< Iona," p. 25.
2 The indefatigable Timothy Pont, who furnished the chief materials for Blaeu's
maps of Scotland, calls it Port-Luinge, but it is laid down entirely too far north. In
Blaeu's maps the island is called Tyrryf . The best modern maps of Argyll omit Port
na Lung, and, though more correct in their outline of Tiree, have far fewer names laid
down than the old geographer.
3 At Cornaigbeg, in digging pits in sandy ground, there were found at different
times human skeletons, and nigh them skeletons of horses." — Old Statistical Survey,
vol. x., p. 402.
4 "Vita S. Columbae," lib. I., cap. 36.
PROCEEDINGS.
193
* 1 KiRKAPOLL.
"5. Bat the most conspicuous remains in the island are those at
Kirkapoll, in the neigbourhood of the modern parish church, and on the
north side of the Kirkapoll Bay. Here are two
distinct burying-grounds. One of them con-
tains the ruins of an old church, and several
of the narrow decorated tombstones of the
Iona pattern, some of which are probably to
be reckoned among the numerous spoliations
of the Sacred Isle : one of them, in particular,
which bears the following inscription on the
bevel of its margin : — fingonivs : prior : de
Y : ME : DEDID : PHILIPPO : IOHANNIS '. et : suis :
eiliis : anno : domini m° cccc° xcv°. This Prior
was of the Clann Mac Finnguine, now called
Makinnon, and is thus noticed by Mae Firbis : —
* Finnguine, abbot of Hy, brother to Domhnall,
son of Gillebride.'1
" 6. About 30 yards to the south-east is
another, but seemingly more modern cemetery,
called Claodh-Odhrain, that is, 1 Oran's grave-
yard ' from St. Columba's disciple, the first,
who was said to have been interred in Iona, and
from whom the Relig Oran, or great cemetery
there, takes its name.
" A little distance north of these graveyards, is a rocky eminence, the
Grave Slab, Kirkapoll Church-
yard, Tiree. (From a Sketch
by Mr. T. J. Westropp.)
Kl RKAPQJJUT \RZZ
Doorway of Church.
summit of which is occupied by the ruin of another church of smaller
1 Fionnguine ab h-I dearbb.ratb.air Domhnaill mac Gillebrigbde.— Geneal. MS.,
Royal Irish Academy, p. 407.
194 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
dimensions, but more ancient than that in the principal graveyard. It
measures 23 feet by 1 1 feet 6 inches. It possesses the peculiarity observ-
able in the old churches at Iona, and Kilkennich, and Templepatrick in
Tiree ; that it has no east window, but instead, two narrow deeply-splayed
windows on the north and south near the east angles. The doorway,
round-headed, is in the south, near the west angle. The rock on which
this little fabric stands is nearly circular, and, what is very curious, the
natural unevenness of the floor has never been rectified.
" KiLCHENjSTICH.
" 7. The farm of Kilchennich, on the west side of the island, takes its
name from an old church built by, or in commemoration of St. Canice.
It is 28 feet 6 inches long, and 13 feet wide, without any east window.
The east and west gables are entire, and part of the side walls are stand-
ing. The doorway, with a circular head, is in the west. Close to it is
a curious mound, about which human bones are continually exposed by
the drifting of the sand, while the space within the walls is quite choked
up. The writer in the Statistical Survey observes : — ' There is at the
chapel of Kilkeneth, in Tiry, a burying ground so sandy, that, by blow-
ing, heaps of human bones are seen, and coffins often exposed before half
consumed. It is now surrounded by sand-banks higher than the side
walls ; they no longer bury here.' 1
" IClLMOLTJAG.
"8. At the north-west angle of the island is the farm known by the
very ecclesiastical name of Kilmoluag, that is, the ' Church of Moluoc.'
This saint, who was the founder and patron of Lismore in Scotland, was
a native of Ireland, and his festival is marked in the Calendar at the
25th of June. The Duke of Argyll, is now his lay representative, and
his pastoral staff is preserved as an heir-loom in his Grace's family. The
Annalist Tighernach thus records his obit at 592 : — ' The death of
Lughaidh of Lismor, that is, Moluoc' 2 The stones of the old chapel
were employed to build the walls of cabins, and the space where the
cemetery is shown to have been is now in tillage.
" 9. The south-west point is the highest ground in Tiree, and is
appropriately called Kennavara, that is, Ceann an mhara, ' the eminence
of the sea.' At the foot of the declivity, in a little recess on the shore,
looking south-west towards Skerryvore light-house, in a small green
space, stands the east wall of a church built of stone and mortar. On the
south there stands a pillar-stone with two crosses incised on it of which
the lower is the more ancient. The little area which is now overgrown
with flags and rushes, seems to have been a cemetery. There are also
1 " Old Statistical Survey of Scotland," vol x., p. 401.
2 " Obitus Lughaidh Lissmoir .i. Moluoc," a.c. 592. See Dr Todd's "Introduc-
tion to the Obits of Christchurch," p. lxv.
PROCEEDINGS.
195
the traces of a rude enclosure of stones surrounding the consecrated space.
It is called Templepatrick.
" A former minister of the parish gives the following description of
the spot :—
" ' At the hill of Ceanmharra, on a very rugged declivity, is situated St. Patrick's
Temple. The vestige of a wall encloses it in one-third of an acre of land. It is 26
hy 11 feet within the walls, the side walls 5 J feet high ; one gahle six inches thicker
than another; without roof, and ill-built of stone and lime. A square altar at the east
end is still eighteen inches high. The cross without the pedestal, four feet. Within
61 yards of it, at the shore, on the top of a rock, is made a hollow two feet diameter
and four deep, called by the country people, " St. Patrick's Vat." ' 1
" 10. A little to the north, in the farm of Barapoll, is a small eminence
called Knock-a-chlaodh,3 close to some cabins, which, it is stated, were
built out of the walls of a chapel that formerly stood there. The drift-
ing of the sand has exposed the burying-ground, and, when visited
by the writer in July, 1852, the first object which caught his eye was
a bleached skull and other bones lying bare on the surface of the
ground.
"11. At Heynish, the southerly part of the island, was a small
burying-ground, called Claodh-beg.2 It is now effaced.
"12. In the farm of Helipoll, near Crossapoll, and a little south of the
Island House, is a plot called Templefield, which derived its name from
a chapel, the site of which is now occupied by a school-house.
" 13. Lastly, atKelis, on the north-east side, near the ferry between
Tiree and Coll, in ground occupied by Neil Clarke, was a chapel, with
its burying-ground, called Croish-a-Chaolish.
" All these burying-places are of great antiquity, some of them which
are still used having monuments that indicate their early appropriation,
while even those which have become obsolete may, with reason, be
referred to a very remote period, and, by their number, evidence both a
large population and a great subdivision of ecclesiastical interests in the
island during the ages which preceded the centralizing movement of
Church patronage. And, though it is not pretended that all these
thirteen religious stations can date their origin from such an early period
as the sixth or seventh century, still there can be little doubt, when we
compare their number with the moderate extent of the island, and the
fact that Tiree and Coll, with the intervening islet of Gunna, now form
but one parish, that this island was well known and much frequented at
a very early stage of Christianity in Scotland.
1 " Old Statistical Survey," vol. x., p. 402.
2 The word "claodh" is a common one in the west of Scotland, signifying a "bury-
ing-ground." Thus St. Maulrubha's grave at Applecross is called " Clud Marce."
Cladh and Cludh are given in O'Reilly's "Irish Dictionary" in the same sense.
196
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
" Adamnan's casual observation, ' in caeteris ejusdem insulae monas-
teriis,' accounts for the multiplicity of religious vestiges in the island,
while they reflect upon his narrative the attestation of a genuine state-
ment.
" Gunna Islet.
" The Island of Gunna, which lies in the sound between Tiree and
Coll, but nearer to the latter, has the remains of a chapel and cemetery.
It was exclusively the burial-place of the Mac Neills of Coll.
" Island of Coll.
" The Island of Coll, which at a distance appears to be a continuation
of Tiree, is separated from it by a sound about three miles wide. It
holds no place in ancient church history like Tiree, but still it possesses
a large share of ecclesiastical traces, and it may not be amiss to embrace
the present opportunity of putting them on record.1
" 1. At Caoles, opposite to Gunna, the foundation of a chapel and the
traces of a cemetery are still visible.
" 2. At Crosspoll, adjoining Caoles, is a burial -place which is still
used, and the foundations of a chapel are also to be seen.
" 3. At Breachachadh, which also adjoins Caoles, was a chapel, with
its cemetery, called Ardneish; but about eight years ago the tenant
removed the ruins for building purposes, and put the disused cemetery
under tillage.
"4. At Breachachadh also, on the east side of the farm called Fasach,
is the ruin of a chapel with a burial-ground which was used within the
memory of some old people now living.
" 5. At Clappach, in the middle of the island, there was a chapel and
burying-ground.
"6. At Gallanach, also near the middle of the island, was a chapel
and burying-ground.
" 7. At Kilfinnaig is a cemetery which is still used, and where there
was formerly a chapel.
"8. At Arintluich, on the south-east of the island, was a chapel and
cemetery.
"9. At Kilbride, south-east of Gallanach, was a chapel and cemetery.
" 10. At Greamsary was a chapel and cemetery called Bearrigrein.
" ' There are fifteen remains of old chapels or churches, at some of
which are burying-grounds and crosses still to be seen,' said the Rev.
Archibald M'Coll, in 1794, when writing the account of his united
parish of Tiree and Coll for the Statistical Survey, and that this
was no exaggeration the preceding recitals prove, giving thirteen for
Tiree, one for Gunna, and ten for Coll."
1 For this list I am indebted to my intelligent friend, Mr. Lachlan M'Quarrie, the
Duke of Argyll's ground-officer in Tiree.
PROCEEDINGS.
197
The rocky, hilly, sandy island of Coll is ten and three-quarter miles
long, and has a mean breadth of rather less than three miles. The
derivation of the name is puzzling, as in the Gaelic, Irish, and Welsh,
" Coll " means " hazel," and " Coil " a " wood," neither of which have
any application in the etymology of the island as we find it. Its
highest hill is Ben Hogh, 347 feet. The island differs considerably in
general appearance from the low-lying aspect of Tiree. Coll has so many
rocky protuberances that, viewed from the boat, the northern end in
particular seems to present one entire surface of rocks, but when the
visitor traverses the island it will be found to be interspersed with green
spots which comprise over one-third of its extent, in particular at its
southern end, which has more the appearance and character of its
neighbour. It is more diversified than Tiree, and in consequence has
somewhat more of the element of picturesqueness.
Overlooking Loch Breachachadh, on the south-east of the island, is
the Castle of Coll, which may be found interesting ; near to this is the
modern house in which Dr. Johnson and Boswell were lodged in the
year 1773. Mention is made by M'Culloch of the remains of so-called
Danish forts, which are found in various parts of the island.
198 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
SECTION III.
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1899.
ISLAND OF CANNA.
Canna Island1 (Kanin, (i a rabbit," Swedish., "the isle of rabbits ") is
4 1 miles long east and west, and about one mile wide. The eastern end
rises to a height of 724 feet at Sgor Goul.
The landing-place is in Canna Harbour, which is naturally formed
between Canna and Sanday Island. Not far from the harbour will be seen
the vestiges of an old tower perched on a lofty rock, and accessible by a
narrow path. Pennant gives a view of it, and says: "This tower was
built by some jealous ' regulous ' to confine a handsome wife in."
1 Some persons living on the island said it was derived from a Gaelic word, signify-
ing fresh or bright green.
PEOCEEDINGS.
199
The cliffs of Canna Island are highly magnetic, so much so that on
one of the hills at the eastern extremity, which has thereby acquired the
name of Compass Hill, a mariner's compass varies as much as a quarter,
the north point standing clue west. This influence is sometimes limited
to a few feet, and never extends to any
considerable distance. Compass Hill in
Erse is called Sgak-Dhearg, or the red
projecting rock.
Eoddstoll, or Pillar Eock, is a detached
pyramid 82 feet high, which lies a short
distance from the north-eastern part of
Canna Island.
The objects of archaeological interest
are easily accessible from the harbour. Of
the church, which was dedicated to St.
Columba, only slight traces remain. Lying
close to each other, and not far from the
harbour, are two places of sepulture.
Standing in the more ancient of these
graveyards is a cross, 6 feet 6 inches high,
the upper portion and one arm being broken
off. It is formed of a hard, pale, red-
coloured stone, said to have been brought
from the neighbouring island of Eum. It
is of unique design ; both faces present a
double plane, the outer one covered with
worn carvings of grotesque character, and
with wasted interlacing work. Near it there was recently found a
portion of a very remarkable cross-shaft, with a figure of a man and a
serpent on one side, and serpentine and interlacing patterns of plain
bands on the other, as shown on next page. In the more modern
burying-ground there are two or three slabs, on one of which is a carved
raven. There is also a tall, red-coloured, weather-worn pillar-stone.
There is an ancient structure in " Sgor na Bean Naomh," at the
west end of Canna, called The Altak, which has been described by
the Eev. J. E. Somerville, f.s.a. (Scot.) : —
!
:
ll
ll
I
1
i
Canna Cross, East face and one side.
(From a Sketch by Mr. Thomas
J. Westropp.)
" It is built of flagstones of Torridon sandstone, and contains a 'cella' in which
are laid a quantity of votive offerings, consisting of rounded pebbles from the seashore.
The erection forms tbe centre of a large circle of stone, about 100 yards in diameter,
within which and around the altar are arranged five cairns of stones. Near it is a
flagged underground passage about 2 feet square, up which, to a spring of water, sick
people had to crawl, and were then laid in a bed made of stones, and left for the night
in the expectation of a cure. The structure seemed to consist of what in Ireland is
called a 4 station' adjoined to a holy well. Its form is like that of Tobar Ashig in
Skye, and the well of the Virtues in St. Kilda. Martin, describing a stone-covered
holy well in Gigha, which also cured diseases, mentions that the offerings left consisted
Obverse and Reverse of portion of Cross-shaft in Ganna. (|th size.)
PROCEEDINGS.
201
largely of pebbles of prettily variegated stones. Superstitious veneration of altar-
stones wbicb were used botb for blessing and cursing, and for swearing oatbs upon,
was common in Scotland and Ireland, and reference was made to tbe Black Stones of
Iona and otber instances."
In Sanday Island there has been erected a Eoman Catholic church
designed in Bomanesque style, the apsidal chancel and altar of which
are worthy of inspection by ecclesiologists of the party.
Dun vegan Castle, Isle of Skye.
One of the most interesting castles in Scotland is Dunvegan, the ancient
seat of Macleod of Macleod. It has the reputation of being probably the
oldest inhabited residence in Scotland which retains its castellated fea-
tures in conjunction with many structural additions, ancient and modern.
l|8f«ppt:v':. - . '■' 'it, ?
n
•
1
-
Dunvegan Castle, 1898.
^Frora a Photograph by the Rev. Dr. Buick.)
The rock on which the castle is perched commands a loch of the same
name which is well land-locked, although it is not altogether sheltered
from the violence of occasional gales from the westward ; it is a branch of
Loch Falart on the western side of the island of Skye.
PROCEEDINGS.
203
The original structure of the castle was (as the early pictures show)
a square fortalice, which, with the wall along the escarpment of the cliff
circumvallating the plateau on the top of the rock, constituted a High-
land fortress of considerable strength.
The castle itself has been frequently added to, and has been very
much modernised interiorly as well as exteriorly in the late decades of
the last century as well as in an early period of the present century.
This frequent patching and piecing, and the consequent mixture of
styles, chiefly on the landward side, from the earliest and rudest to
Dun vegan Castle in the fourteenth Century.
the bits of French Renaissance and Scottish Baronial, lend interest and
picturesqueness to the structure, although it cannot compare in extent
or massiveness or scientific plan as a mediaeval fortress with many of
the Scottish castles, such as at Craigmillar, Linlithgow, or Stirling.
The barbican entrance erected by Norman Macleod, the 19th chief, and
by his successor, is not the least striking or useful addition to the modern
castle. The former approach was by a steep and most inconvenient flight
of steps commencing at the bottom of the ravine or natural fosse, the
previous descent of which was equally inconvenient ; the entrance to the
principal floor of the castle is facilitated by this- barbican, the plateau of
which was banked up nearly to the level of the principal floor, and
encompassed with a wall and turrets.
Legend ascribes the origin of the castle to the ninth century, but
matter-of-fact scrutiny shows it to be of fourteenth-century construction.
204 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
The castle is thus described by Mr. Lockhart Bogle in the Proceedings
of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, in the volume for 1895 : —
" It was simply a massive oblong keep, with a small but lofty tower embedded in
the north side. From its structure we know it to have been built in the fourteenth
century, and it was restored to use again in the end of last century. The Macleods of
Glenelg, otherwise styled of Harris and Dunvegan, had charters of David II. (1329-
71), so this part of the castle, which belongs to the fourteenth century, must have
been built by them.
Dunvegan Castle. Plan of the Ground -floor.
" The sea-gate was 7 feet 3 inches wide, by 8 feet 6 inches high. Until the times
of the 19th Macleod (about 1750), this entrance was the only means of access to the
castle, and to it a rude flight of steps led up from the edge of the sea. A somewhat
similar arrangement existed at Eilan Donan Castle, in Kintail. Boswell says the only
approach to the castle, before the opening of the land-gate, was by boat to the sea-
gate. The walls of what are now the cellars are 11 feet thick, and originally forme
one large hall with arched roof and fireplace. Above it is another hall of the same size,
probably for the use of the chief and his guests, while the lower was for retainers.
" The dungeon, which was under the small tower, is 4 feet 4 inches by 6 feet, and
can only be entered through a square opening in the small chamber above, secured by
large stone with iron ring, and it extends into the gloom below, where it has been
excavated out of the solid rock to the depth of 16 feet. It has a narrow loop-hole
facing the north, but high up near the arched roof, so that the inmate of this horrible
PROCEEDINGS.
205
prison must have been enveloped in darkness or semi-twilight on the brightest day.
Here it is known Ian Dubh, one of the early chiefs, who waded through the blood of
his nearest relatives to attain the chieftainship, had imprisoned some of his victims.
The bottom of the dungeon was strewn with the bones of sheep, which may, in bygone
times, have been thrown to the prisoners."
It is on record that, early in the sixteenth century, Alister Crotach, or
" The Humpbacked," built a very strong square tower, which " remains
outwardly as it was raised by the chief, a beautiful piece of mediaeval
castle building." Additions and alterations were made by Eorie More
The Sea-gate, Dunvegan Castle.
who was knighted by James VI., and by John Breac Macleod, who lived
in the last quarter of the seventeenth century. " He was the last to keep
up the old feudal style of life in the Highlands, and retained his harper,
jester, bard, and piper, who, with numerous retainers, thronged his halls
and contributed to foster among his people the fame and glory of their
Chief." Norman Macleod, the 19th chief, as already stated, opened out
a doorway on the land side ; the 20th chief made additions",and alterations
about the end of the last century ; and so through the long line of chiefs,
including the late Macleod, the castle assumed its present form. There
are other two sites in the North which rival or surpass Dunvegan in the
JOUR. R. S.A.I. , VOL. IX., PT. II., 5TH SER.
Q
•206
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
length and continuity of their feudal history, namely Redcastle on the
Beauly Firth and Dunrobin ; but neither has retained so much of the
ancient castellated structure. Redcastle, indeed, which dates from 1179,
lias been renewed like the Highlandman's gun — stock, lock, and barrel.
In this castle is preserved the Bratach Shi or fairy flag of the family,
as the fable goes, bestowed on it by Titania, the Ben Shi or wife to Oberon,
King of the Fairies. Pennant relates the fable, with annotations. This
flag is of yellow silk, and is said to have been taken by a Macleod from
a Saracen chief during the Crusades ; it is only to be displayed on great
occasions when the clan is in imminent peril, and it is traditionally
invested with miraculous associations.
Among the Avarlike relics is a shield of iron, too ponderous to be
conveniently carried by a warrior of the present day. In noticing this
implement of defence, Pennant observes that each chieftain had his
armour-bearer who preceded his master in time of war ; aud so predomi-
nant was the attachment to the military character that the same formality
was observed even in a state of peace, on all solemn occasions. A remark-
able family relic which is preserved at Dunvegan Castle is the Hebridean
drinking-cup, mentioned by Sir Walter Scott, in his notes to the " Lord
of the Isles," as one of the greatest curiosities in Scotland. The following-
description of it by Scott may be of interest : —
" The vessel is nine inches and three-quarters in inside depth, and ten and a-half
in height on the outside, the extreme measure over the hrirn being four inches and
a-half. It is divided into two parts, by a wrought ledge, beautifully ornamented,
about three-fourths of an inch in breadth. Above this projecting ledge the form of
the cup is square, the upper part or mouth being widened ; and below the ledge it is
rounded off, so as to terminate in a flat circle, like the bottom of a tea-cup ; and in
this inferior convexity the four short feet, which support the whole, are inserted.
The material of the cup is wood, to all appearance oak, most curiously inlaid and
embossed with silver work. There are at regular distances a number of projecting
sockets, which appear to have been set with jewels ; two or three of them still hold
pieces of coral ; the rest are empty. At the corners of the projecting ledge, where the
square form of the vessel terminates, there are four larger sockets, probably for
precious stones. The silver ornaments are of extremely elegant workmanship, and
appear to have been richly gilt. The ledge, brim, and legs of the cup are of silver.
According to the family tradition, it was the property of Neil Ghlune-dhu, or .Black-
knee, but of this personage nothing is remembered but the name. On the four exterior
sides of the upper part, or mouth, is a legend, in the Saxon black letter, which has
been read thus : JJfo Johannis Mich Magni I'rincipis cle Hi Manae Vich Liahia Magryneil
et sperat Domino Jhesn dari clementiam illorum opera. Fecit Anno Domini 993 Onili
Oirni. It may be read in English: Ufo, the son of John, the son of Magnus, Prince
of Man, the grandson of Liahia Macgryneil, trusts in the Lord Jesus that their works
(his own and those of his ancestors) will obtain mercy. Oneil Oirni made this in the
year of God nine hundred and ninety -three."
This interesting cup is simply an Irish wooden mether, very highly
ornamented in silver. The inscription, so strangely misread by Sir
Walter Scott, is given much more correctly by Wilson ("Prehistoric
Annals of Scotland," vol. ii., p. 484) — " katharina ingen y neill uxor
PROCEEDINGS.
207
JOHA.NNIS MEGUIGIR PRINCIPIS DE FIRMANAE ME FIEEI FECIT, ANNO DOMINI
1493" — followed by the 15th verse of the 144th Psalm in the version
of the Vulgate — " Oculi omnium in te sperant Domine et tu das escam
illorum in tempore opportuno." The death of the chief, John Maguire,
Vaferrftsh Pr
V\£STD\N PORTIOM
or
Isle -of-Skve
/och
Snizorf
is recorded in the " Annals of the Four Masters" under the year 1503.
The cup itself is probably older than its ornamental casing, but the style
of the ornament in pierced work, filagree, and niello, agrees well enough
Q2
210 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
with the date given in the inscription. (See a detailed description of
the decoration in the Archaeological Journal, vol. xii., p. 79, by Alexander
Nesbitt.)
The Dunvegan Cup was exhibited at the Dublin Exhibition of 1853,
and it is noticed in the Dublin University Magazine of November, 1858,
p. 637. It is also described at length in the Journal of this Society for
the year 1860, p. 56, vol. vi., Consec. Series, in which its Irish origin
and workmanship are clearly shown, and that it was made in the
fifteenth century, at the cost of Catherine Macgrannal, wife of Maguire,
Prince of Fermanagh. See also the Journal for 1880, p. 360, vol. xv.,
Consec. Series, for a notice of Mary, daughter of Sir John Macleod, who
married Maurice, second Lord of Kerry, wbo was summoned to attend
Edward I. in his Scotch wars. Junior branches of the Macleod family
Drinking-horn, Dunvegan Castle.
settled in Kerry, and in the records between 1400 and 1600, their
names are set down as Mac Alliod, Eitz Elgoth, Mac Lyod, and Mac
Elgott ; in the seventeenth century it assumed the form Mac Eligot,
which it has since retained.
History and legend alike speak of Roderick or Rorie More, the con-
temporary of James VI., whose drinking-horn is one of the relics remain-
ing in the castle. It is an ox's horn, ornamented with a silver rim, and
capable of containing half a gallon of wine. " Every laird of Macleod it-
is said, as a proof of his manhood, must drink it off full of claret without
laying it down. In the time of Roderick (chief from 1590 to 1626)
there was a great amount of hospitality and excessive drinking in the
Isles."
In alluding to the joyous festivities for which the Castle of Dun-
vegan was distinguished at this early period, Scott with his usual felicity,
cites, from the Leabhar Dearg, a song of gratitude, composed by Mac
PROCEEDINGS.
211
Vuirich, a bard of clan Eonald, in honour of his noble host Sir Roderic
Mor Macleod. The fervid enthusiasm of the original may, as he observes,
have been lowered in the literal translation which he communicates ; but
enough remains to show that the poet had derived inspiration from the
redoubted horn which bears the name of the chieftain, when he poured
forth his ardent effusion : Laudibus arguitur vini vinosus Homerus.
" To Sir Roderic Mor Macleod, —
" The six nights I remained in the Dunvegan, it was not a show of hospitality 1
met with there, hut a plentiful feast in thy fair hall among thy numerous hosts
of heroes.
" The family placed all around, under the protection of their great chief, raised by
his prosperity and respect for his warlike feats, now enjoying the company of his
friends at the feast, amidst the sound of harps, overflowing cups, and happy youth
unaccustomed to guile or feud, partaking of the generous fare before a flaming fire.
" Mighty chief, liberal to all in your princely mansion, filled with your numerous
warlike host, whose generous wine would overcome the hardiest heroes, yet we con-
tinue to enjoy the feast, so happy our host, so generous our fare."
Pennant relates that near to Dunvegan is an " Anait" or supposed
Druidical place of worship, of which there are four in Skye. .. He appends
some curious speculations as to the use of these structures. But to Irish
archaeologists familiar with the term as applied to the church in which
the patron saint was educated, or in which his relics are kept, the word
will suggest other associations. (See the Glossary to the Senchus Mor,
vol. iii., under Annoit.)
Map of Lewis ?ind Harris in the Hebrides.
PEOCEEDINGS.
213
Rodil in Harris — Outer Hebrides,
The name Hebrides, or Western Islands, is applied in a general
sense to all the islands on the west coast of Scotland. The Outer
Hebrides form one series, the geological formation of which is almost
exclusively gneiss ; to this series belong Lewis with Harris, north and
south TJist, Benbecula, Barra, and the isolated islands of St. Kilda.
The Inner Islands are composed chiefly of trap rock and slate. These
are Skye, Eigg, Rum, Canna, Tiree and Coll, Mull, Iona, Staffa, Lismore,
Ulva, Kerrera, Colonsay, and Oron say, Jura, and Isla. Also the islands
lying within the estuary of the Clyde, such as Arran, Bute, the Cum-
braes, &c, and to the same group were anciently assigned the peninsula
of Kintyre, the island of Rathlin, and the Isle of Man. In William
Macculloch's "Western Islands," 1819, they are so treated, and in that
book will be found a somewhat remarkable geological map of the
Hebrides, showing the almost uniform axis of the islands to lie north-
east. The total number of islands of any size is about five hundred,
but of these rather less than one-fifth are inhabited at present.
The Hebrid Isles are distributed among the Scottish counties of Ross,
Inverness, Argyll, and Bute. The chief occupations of the inhabitants
are farming and fishing. The humbler class of the natives for the most
part speak Gaelic, and it will no doubt be an interesting experiment
for the members of this excursion who speak Irish to enter into con-
versation with the natives speaking Gaelic or Erse.
Sailing in a north-westerly direction from Loch Dunvegan, for a
distance of 45 miles, Rodil is reached, situate on the shore of a small
bay, at the southern extremity of that portion of "The Long Island"
which is called Harris. The northern and larger portion of this island
is called Lewis, and the two together form the largest island of the
Hebridean group.
Harris is rather barren and mountainous ; the highest peak, called the
r< Deer Eorest," is 2229 feet in height. Roneval mountain is 1506 feet
in height, and near its base, and close to the water's edge lies the village
of Rodil, in a land-locked bay. There is a house here formerly inhabited
by Macleod of Harris, and above it on the rising ground stands the
ancient church of St. Clement's, which is the chief object of antiquarian
interest in this region. This edifice was burnt down in 1784, and was
a ruin when visited by Sir Walter Scott ; it was restored about 1870,
and has been well described by Mr. Alexander Ross, f.s.a. (Scot.) — who
restored it— in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
214 EOYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
(vol. 19 for 1885, p. 118), from which, hy permission, the following-
extracts are made, and illustrations reproduced : —
" The church lies due east and west, and is cruciform in plan, measuring
61 feet in length hy 15 feet in breadth, with transepts measuring 9 feet by 17 feet
6 inches, and 10 feet by 15 feet. There is a square tower at the west end, of the
full width of the church, and about 45 feet high, capped with a slated roof. The
church is founded on a very uneven surface, the tower being on a rock many feet
above the level of the nave, but accessible from it by a stair in the wall now closed up.
The modern building is generally of very common material and workmanship, but the
more ancient structure seems to have been of better material and more refined construc-
tion. Judging by its present appearance, I am inclined to conclude that the original
View of St. Clement's Church, Rodil, Harris
building had become so far ruinous that only the lower portions of the walls of the
nave, tower, transept, and east gable remained intact, and that the upper portion of the
walls of the nave and tower had been built out of the old materials without much
regard to character or design. The windows were built square for wooden sashes, and
the upper portion of the tower repaired with fragments of the old moulded corners and
rybats and sculptures used promiscuously, as was found convenient, so that several of
the sculptured figures have been placed in most unlikely positions, as chance to some
extent dictated. The positions of the figures over the door are notable examples of
this. One of the figures on the south side of the tower is remarkable on account of its
dress. The lower portions of the walls of the nave, the transept arches, and the side
PROCEEDINGS.
215
and end windows of the ehancel are evidently of early date, as are also the tomb-;
recessed into the Avails, the arches of which are apparently of contemporary workman-
ship with the arches of the transepts. The arches both of the tombs and of the tran-
septs are cast in a pale yellow freestone with alternate bands of hordblende schist, but
the filling in of the panels at the back of the tombs appears to suggest possibly a later
date or a subsequent adaptation. . . . The east window is cut out of hornblende schist,
and is a very remarkable piece of work of its kind. It is of three lights, with a circle or
wheel over, divided by six straight spokes. The mouldings are decorated with rows of
nail-head ornaments, as are also the labels on the windows and tombs. A plain font,
or holy-water stoup, it is not easy to say which, lies on the floor of the nave.
" The tomb bearing the inscribed panel is situated to the east of the transept, and
exhibits the full-length effigy of a knight in armour of plate, placed under a recessed
arch. The feet of the effigy, which are to the east, rest upon an animal, and over the
head is a panel with the following inscription in black letter :—
Jjlic : loculris : capasv/it
ptiuw : JUlexarlev : Alius : vttmi
Mac : ©lotl : Unn : tie duuegan
$nri0 : tint : m° : ccccc° : xxuiii0
" The first word of the second line is partly illegible, and the inscription is so ungram-
matical that it cannot be strictly construed, but its meaning appears to be that Alex-
ander, son of William Macleod of Dunvegan, made this tomb, a.i>. 1528. .„ . .
" The effigy of the person commemorated by this elaborately sculptured tomb at
Eowdill (see illustration, p. 217) is represented in armour of plate corresponding to the
period. The conical bassinet is surrounded by a jewelled wreath; the camail short,
the military belt confining the lower part of the close-fitting jupon worn over a haubeik
with vandyked edge, the thigh-pieces curiously hinged, the knee-pieces peaked, and
the sollerets short and obtusely pointed. The sword, which is cross-hilted, is held by
both hands in front of the figure, the pommel reaching to the breast, and the point of
the sword placed between the feet.
" The decoration of the panels forming the back of the recess is very peculiar (see
illustration, page 216). On the left and over the feet of the effigy, there is a hunting
scene, in which a huntsman on foot, armed writh sword and spear, is followed by
two attendants, each with two hounds in leash. In the panel immediately in front is
a group of three stags. The panel adjoining the inscription bears a representation of
St. Michael weighing souls, the devil sitting by, and evident^' taking a practical inte-
rest in the operation. In the second row of panels, beginning again at the left, we
have first the representation of a castle, then three panels with canopied niches, of
which the centre one represents the Virgin crowned and seated on a throne, and bearing
in the right hand a sceptre, while with the left she supports the Holy Child upon her
knee ; the two panels on either side represent abbots — the one on the left with mitre
and crosier, and the right hand raised in the attitude of benediction ; the one on the
right presenting a skull, as the emblem of mortality, in his right hand, and holding the
crosier with his left. The last panel in this row shows a galley in full sail, and the
side pierced for seventeen oars, not borne heraldically upon a shield, but represented
pictorially, as if it formed part of the symbolism with which it is surrounded. The three
upper panels immediately underneath the crown of the arch .contain figures of angels.
In the centre panel are two angels face to face blowing trumpets, and on either side a
single angel with a censer. The fronts of the voussoirs of the arch are also decorated
with a series of sculptures, the centre-piece over the crown of the arch representing
God the Father seated, crowned with a tiara, and holding between the knees the figure
of the crucified Saviour nailed to the cross, with angels on either side. Of the eight
-218
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
panels bordering the sides of the arch, one on each side is rilled with the figure of an
■mgel holding a censer, and three on each side are filled with pairs of figures holding
inscribed scrolls which are now illegible. There are traces of a nimbus surrounding
the heads of some of the figures which are best preserved. Sir "Walter Scott regarded
them as figures of the twelve Apostles ; but they seem more likely to be merely emble-
matical .
" Of the other two effigies, the one in the nave to the west of the transept represents
a man in armour with high peaked bassinet and camail over a habergeon reaching to
the knee. The nature of the defences of the feet and legs is not indicated. He holds
a long straight cross-hilted sword in front, the pommel reaching to the breast and the
point placed between the feet. A dagger hangs at his left side, but the military belt is
wanting."
There is another effigy at the end of the south transept, but it is much
defaced. In the south and west faces of the tower are two carved figures
(male and female) of the class of objects called Sheela-na-gigs in Ireland.
Buchanan states that the church was built in 1498 by Alexander
Macleod of Harris who was then owner of the property. The inscrip
tion on the highly elaborate tomb gives 1528 as the date of its erection,
and if it was erected to the memory of Alexander Macleod it must have
been erected in his lifetime, as he did not die until 1546. The church had
fallen into a ruinous condition in 1784, at which date it was partially
repaired by an Alexander Macleod of Harris. There is an inscription
on a tablet on the west wall of the church recording this restoration.
The last restoration in 1870 was done at the expense of the Countess
of Dun more, under the supervision of Mr. Alexander Ross, Architect.
The etymology of Rodil seems to be rather unsettled, the spelling is
variously given as Rowardill, Rodell, ltowdill, Ilodel, and several other
variants, but llodil seems to be one most commonly adopted.
{To be continued.)
THE JOURNAL
OF
THE EOYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES
OF IRELAND,
FOR THE YEAR 1899.
PAPERS AND PROCEEDINGS— PART III. THIRD QUARTER, 1899.
papers*
THE TERMON OF DURROW.
BY THE REY. STERLING DE COURCY WILLIAMS, M.A.
[Continued from page 51.)
[Read March 29, 1898.]
HPhe "Annals of the Eour Masters" when recording the death of
Breanain, Lord of Teffia, tell us that it was he that some time
before granted Durrow to God and St. Colnmbkille ; and it is interesting
further to observe that there is a document still extant, which tells us
exactly how the Termon of Durrow was enclosed. Bishop Reeves in his
" Antiquity of Irish Churches" (p. 46) tells us how amongst the poems
ascribed to St. Columba is one which refers to certain mounds and
boundary fences erected in the Termon of Durrow by three Pictish
abbots :l Tiugulb, Erolbh, and Torulb. This MS. is preserved in the
Bodleian Library ; and Miss Margaret Stokes, some time ago, kindly
wrote to me, telling me that through the kindness of the librarian,
Mr. Nicholson, she had got a photograph of the MS. ; and also obtained
1 These names have more of a Danish appearance. Miss Margaret Stokes informs
me that there is no evidence that these three brethren were abbots, as supposed by
Bishop Reeves ; they appear to be lay brethren, who did the manual labour of the
monastery, like the Carthusians, and who let their beards grow.
JOUR. R.S.A.I., VOL. IX., PT. III., OTH SER. R
220 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
a translation of it from her brother, Mr. Whitley Stokes, which she
was good enough to send to me, which reads as follows : —
Columcille sang —
" I. Tiugulb of the abbot's house, Erolbh and Torulb to whom one
comes, three brothers without dispute whose honour or
hospitality is best I know."
" II. Three descendants of the conquering Picts ; gladness they had
at every time ; fortune filled them to the ground in the
abbot's house at Durrow."
" III. Holy Colum gave decrees to Laisren1 — no deceitful cause — to
make dykes (mounds) in Durrow so that there might not be
a breach therein."
"IV. They build the bold mounds (dykes). They see their active
wbrkmen thrice fifty (150) conquering champions, with
every sober wise man."
" V. From the time that the work ended it is everyone's voice what
ever is said : the sober synod went on Sunday into the Abbot's
house."
"VI. Thus went the sages, after the mound (dyke) and the dirt
(mire) with a shovel and a cutting-spade in each man's hand
without avoidance " ?
The Picts inquire of the Abbot —
"VII. What shall we do now for we are not reading with them, and
we are without labour and without toil to subdue us under
this discipline " ?
The Abbot answers —
"VIII. Cut ye down the brave forest so that it become smooth beams
(stakes) ; three trees for every hairy monk proclaim no weak-
ness of effort."
"IX. To put them (the beams or stakes) in a comely row on every
side around the monastery so that the congregation may have
a protection against danger with the (its) blasts (?) "
"X. "When the monastery was secure they see that is a . . .
business ; they build mounds at the Glebe. Meseems it is a
fervent, manly deed."
TiuguWs Share.
"XI. Look ye forth at the share of the old man Tiugulb, the prince
who collected (? connected) it, from the monastery westward
to the bog with just (regular bordering mounds.")
1 This is the same Laisren placed over Durrow by St. Columba, who was afterwards
Abbot of Iona (see Reeves' " Columba," pp. 37, 40, 372). These Pictish abbots seem
to have worked in Laisren's time. It is quite evident that the monastery at Durrow
was only begun by St. Columba, and the building not completed until afterwards.
THE TERMON OF DURROW.
221
" XII. ' With its site of a laborious mill1 on its angle.' He was saying
'tis then the shadow is strong, there has been no grinding,
there is none."
JEroWs Share.
" XIII. The share of Erolb, i. e. the green field (Tamnach — dear
bequest ; at the end of the lawn of Ethne's son (*. e. St.
Columba) was arrayed with mounds, so .that it is a help to
our order."
TorulVs Share.
"XIV. The youngest of the valiant children, Torulb, without weakness
of effort, chose a land without any sorrow (t. e. the land of
Cinnead's daughter). He planted a pillar at its corner.2
"XV. The land of Ease and hospitality {gloss, thence westward to
Greenan,3 from Sine4 to the lawn) is common to them all. . . .
There was enough of a storeroom of eating.
"XVI. The vineyard {gloss, to the west of Greenan which Erolb got he
put under smoothness of ) not wrong .... as far as
the side of Tiugulb's land.
"XVII. Many mounds, many choice causeways, many roads, and many
ways they made round Ross Grencha, i.e. Durrow, along with
the husbandry of their house."
1 If my supposition is correct, Tiugulb's share was to run a dyke, or mound, from
the direction of where the old church and holy well are situated, to where on my map
I suppose, from the fall in the stream, a mill might have been situated. The bog
would just come in here, and it would be the very " angle " at which the dyke would
meet the other, which, from this point, would run in a south and east direction, until
the monastery was enclosed.
2 I have not been able to identify either of the places mentioned above, as I can
find no trace of the Tamnach, "the land of Ethne's son," the land of Cinnead's
'daughter ; nor can I find the pillar-stone, unless, perchance, the large, rough boulder-
stone, which appears on the plan, were used as such.
3 The name Greenan is not preserved on the Demesne of Durrow so far as I can
learn either.
* Sine is one of the places we can identify, it is just beside the avenue, and is
well known on the place as Seehawn. The meaning I have heard for the word ' See-
hawn ' in the neighbourhood is given variously, as Church council, and white house
on the hill. Joyce tells us that the word ' Sheawn ' is always applied to a fairy mount,
and that they are generally beautiful green, round hillocks, with an old fort on the
summit. He also tells us that the name 1 Sion ' is its equivalent. Of this we have
■an example in Sion hill, near Killucan, Westmeath, where, on the summit of a very
fertile hill, we have one of those raths or mounds. He also gives us an interpretation
for Seehawn (Suidhe achen), according to which it signifies simply the seat. See-
hawn, he tells us, is the name of a place near Drumdaleague, in Cork, so called
•because it was the seat of O'Donovan. Another note on the word ' Seein ' is curious
and interesting. It is, he says, the same as ' See fin,' with the / aspirated and
•omitted. The name ' See fin ' (' Suidhe Finn') he derives from the renowned Finn-
mac -Coole, who resided at the hill of Allen, in Kildare, and was the leader of the
Fenians. One of the principal amusements of these old heroes, when not employed
in war, was hunting ; and during the long sporting excursions they had certain
favourite hills, on which they were in the habit of resting and feasting during the
intervals of the chase. These hills, most of which are covered by earns, or moats,
•are called Seefin, i.e. Fin's Seat, or resting-place — can it be that this place in Durrow
was called Seefin, or Seein, because there the refectory of the monastery was situated
where they had " enough of a storeroom of eating " ? ■
R 2
222 KOYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Mr. Whitley Stokes says the original is here and there corrupt and
unintelligible, and he has no copy from another MS. which might
enable him to learn the right readings ; but, he adds, " as far as I can
discover, the gist of those lines is as follows : — Three brethren in the
abbot's house named Tiugulb, Erolf, and Torolf, descendants of the
conquering Picts, and honourable men, were led by fortune to the abbot's
house at Eosgrencha.1 Laisren was then abbot of Durrow, to whom the
holy Colum had given certain decrees. Thus, he was to make mounds
or dykes without a breach — in fact, to make the cashell of the monastery.2
(4) Accordingly, the MS. goes on to tell us, these three, with 150 work-
men, who are described as ' conquering champions,' working under
them, each one of the three sober, wise men, probably with his fifty
labourers under him, built the bold mound or dyke. (5) "When the work
is ended the sober synod went on Sunday into the abbot's house as they
had left the mound, carrying their muddy shovel and cutting-spade, and
they ask the abbot, ' What shall we do now ; (7) we do not read with
you, and we require labour and toil for our discipline and our subjection?'
(8) Then the abbot answers, 1 Cut ye down the brave forest, so that it
become smooth beams : three trees for every hairy monk.' And the
abbot tells them also to fix up these beams of planks in a comely row
all round the monastery, so as to form protection for the congregation
in the monastery against danger and blasts of wind.3 (10) When this
task was finished they began to do the same work for the glebe, which
dwelling seems to have stood apart from the other monastic buildings.
1 In a previous Paper I mentioned how this old name is still preserved on the
place, one part of the demesne being still called Grancha.
2 This agrees well with what is related in Adamnan's " Life of St. Coluniha,"
where it also directs our attention to the fact that St. Columha did riot complete the
monastery at Durrow, but that this work was left to Laisren, his successor (Book in.,
chap. xv.). " At another time, while the holy man was sitting writing at his little cell,
suddenly his countenance changed, and he pours forth this cry from his pure breast,
saying, ' help, help ! ' But two brothers stand at the door, named Colgu, son of
Cellagh and Lugne Mocublain, ask him the reason of such a sudden cry. To whom
the venerable man gave this answer, saying, ' I have directed the angel of the Lord,
who was just now standing among you, with all haste to help one of the brethren,
who has fallen from the top of the roof of the great house (round tower), which is at
the present time being built in Durrow ' ; and then the saint added these words, saying,
' how wonderful, and almost unspeakable, is the swiftness of angelic flight, equal, as
I think, to the rapidity of lightning, for that heavenly spirit, who just now flew away
from us hence, when that man began to slip, came to his help, as it were, in the
twinkling of an eye, and bore him up before he could touch the ground, nor could
he who fell perceive any fracture or injury; how amazing, I say, is the most rapid
and seasonable help which, quicker than can be said, with such great spaces of land
and sea lying between, can so very rapidly be rendered.' " See also as a further
evidence of the same thing, Adamnan, Book r., chap, xxix., quoted below.
3 The planks were probably set up on the top of the mound already raised around
the buildings, thus they would prove sufficiently high to break the force of the wind.
One can well imagine the special need for such protection in Durrow, for though well
sheltered apparently both by wood and land shelter, at times the wind seems to sweep
over the ridge of land which runs across it. The gardener at Durrow Abbey tells me
that his great difficulty in springtime arises from this wind, which proves very destruc-
tive to his plants and fruit-trees.
THE TERMON OF DURROW.
223
The narrator then proceeds to tell the share each of these master builders
had in the work. First we have Tiugulb's share. Tiugulb, prince and
old man was he, who enclosed the ground behind the monastery and
the bog. This might mean that he made the dyke or mound on the
north side of the monastery. A bog or morass of some kind must have
occupied the low ground between the monastery and the high ridge of
ground planted with trees, bounding the demesne from the north, and
running from east to west. He also seems to say that there was a mill
at the angle (12), which had fallen into disuse. Next follows Erolb's
share. He took the green field at the back of the lawn of Columb, the
son of Ethne, and enclosed it with mounds, so that it became of great
use to the community.1 Then we have Torulb's share (14). Torulb,
the youngest of the brave men, chose the land of Cinnead's daughter — a
land without sorrow ; and he planted a pillar at its corner. There is
an evident allusion to the refectory in the next verse, speaking of a
common hall or land between the barn and Sine,2 where there was
enough of a storeroom of eating ; and a gloss is added, saying that this
place lay to the west towards Greenan. The vineyard also enclosed by
Erolb lay west of Greenan, and extended as far as Tiugulb's land.
They made, besides, many causeways, roads, paths round ' Kosgrencha,
t. e. Durrow,3 along with the husbandry of their house."
1 All this description corresponds with the general appearance of things at Durrow
now. We have the hog there still on the west side, and we may feel sure that, before
the country was drained, a narrow strip of hog, or morass, lay between the monastery
■and the high ridge of land where we see the Esker covered with wood, which bounded
Durrow on the north. To the west and south there is a natural rising ground, which
would make it very easy to erect mounds which would be of service, and when topped
with a pallisade such as is described, they would be very efficacious in affording
shelter. Then right in front of the church, on the western side, we have the old
mound, near which Hugh de Lacy is said to have met his death. Perhaps it was this
Tiugulph, with his fifty unshaven assistants, who raised this as a shelter and source
of defence for the monastery. We have also, at the north and west, a little stream
which rises just under my house, runs through Durrow, bounding the holy well, and
partly fed by it, and passes on through the bog. At the place where I suppose the
mill may have been there is some fall in the stream, but as it appears at present, I
should hardly think the water-power sufficient to work a mill. The attempt may
have been made to use this water-power, and when not found very successful, it
probably had to be given up. At the back of the monastery, where we hear of no
defence towards the east and north-east, its position was probably made secure by
reason of the density of the wood, and also by bog and water. Where there is only a
small stream now, old inhabitants will tell you there was sufficient water for Mr.
Stepney to have had a boat for his children ; and the Ordnance Survey Map confirms
this by marking the site of the holy well as St. Columba's Island. Our poem then
gives one the idea of a kind of semicircular defence, with a fence erected on it, and
mounds interspersed at intervals, enclosing a space where the monastic buildings
were erected, and which was also laid out with choice causeways and mounds, and
this, as I have said, agrees with the general appearance of Durrow even now.
2 Sine. Tradition says that the silver bell of Durrpw is buried at Seehawn,
beneath a tree.
3 I have before mentioned another name by which Durrow was called, Dorsum
Amaenum, or Pleasant Ridge — a name which fitly describes a long Esker which runs
to the north of the site of the monastery from east to west, and which is still made
pleasant in early summer, with its verdant foliage, and plenitude of oak-trees ; where
the ground is covered with a carpet of spring flowers, which show us how
224 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
One of the few narratives of the place, which I have heard is told of
Seehawn, or Sine. St.-Columba, it is said, was journeying fromDurrow on
one occasion, followed by a vast concourse of admirers. But when he came
as far as Kilclare (the same place as that to which the murderer of Hugh
de Lacy fled), he discovered that he had left his hook behind him. This
fact he mentioned to one of his followers, who passed the intelligence
back through the crowd, till it reached the last man, who stood at See-
hawn and reached for the book, passing it on from hand to hand until it
was given to the saint. This narrative, which shows how large was the
saint's following (the concourse of people who followed him covering a
mile and a-half), helps to explain St. Columba's love for Durrow and his
affection for its inhabitants, expressed in the old ballad which professes
to be his address to Cormack :—
" 0 Cormack, beautiful is thy church,
With its books and learning ;
A devout city with a hundred crosses,
"Without blemish, without transgression.
A holy dwelling, confirmed by my verse,
The green of Aed, son of "Brennan ;
The oak plain of far-famed Rosgrencha ;
The night upon which her pilgrims collect
The number of her wise — a fact widespread —
Is unknown to any but the only God."
The enlargement and improvement of Durrow after St. Columba left
it, as we have seen above, was energetically pushed forward by Laisran
when he was abbot there. The story shows that zeal for work was
tempered by thoughtfulness for those under them by the saints in olden
times ; and I think, from my knowledge of the locality, I may add that
this tradition of 1300 years ago is still observed on the place by the pre-
sent proprietor in his dealings with his dependents. " On one very cold
and wintry day" (Adamnan tells us, book i., chap, xxix.) "the saint
immeasurably superior Nature is to Art — when the sun, with its quickening power,
again makes Durrow a Greenan ; and the joyous note of the blackbird, as of yore, may
be listened to with pleasure by all who have an ear to hear. At such a time the
words of the old ballad come back to us, in which the saint is represented as looking
back from the land of his exile to the monastery he had founded, and telling his
friend Cormack how happy he should be in a place of such piety and beauty :—
" How happy the son of Dimmna, of the devout church,
"When he hears in Durrow the desire of his mind ;
The sound of the wind against the elms — when 'tis played,
The blackbird's joyous note — when he claps his wings,
And listens at early dawn in Rosgrencha — to the cattle, and the
Cooing of the cuckoo from the tree — on the brink of summer."
We do not then wonder at the variety of names for Durrow, all expressing its natural
beauty. It is interesting also to notice that a portion of the Esker, which at Durrow
was called Drumcain, Dorsam Amsenuni, or Greenan (i.e. sunny spot, or Royal Site),
is, a little further on, still known by the name Tara, a name which Joyce tells us has
much the same signification.
THE TERMON OF DURROW.
225
wept, being afflicted by a great sorrow. His attendant Diormit, asking
him about the cause of his sadness, received from him this reply : ' Not
without reason, 0 my son, am I sorrowful in this hour at the sight of my
monks whom Laisran is distressing during the construction of some great
building (round tower?), though they are even now worn out by heavy
labour, a thing which greatly displeases me.' Wonderful to say, at that
very moment of time Laisran, dwelling in the monastery of Durrow, is
some way compelled, and as if kindled by some inward fire, orders that
the monks cease from their labour, and that some refreshment of viands
be prepared ; and not only were they to cease from work on that day,
but to rest on other days of severe weather. The saint hearing in spirit
these consoling words spoken by Laisran to the brethren, ceased to weep,
and though himself dwelling in Iona, related them throughout, with
wondrous joy, to the brethren who were there at the time ; and he
blessed Laisran, the comforter of his monks."1
Eespecting these mounds, then, let me in continuation add all that I
have been as yet able to ascertain. I have made some small attempt at
excavation on each of them. The first of these is that which is asso-
ciated with the murder of Hugh de Lacy, immediately to the north of
which the old castle of Durrow stood, and which was itself covered with
buildings at one time. Some remains of the old walls still may be found
on top of it, and when I excavated I found that the mound was raised
about 6 feet with small stones and debris from the old buildings which
were ruthlessly destroyed, I believe, at the time that the Stepneys were
at Durrow.2 A tradition has been told me of this mound, similar to
others which one hears of other moats of the same kind. It is said that
a certain native of Durrow travelling abroad was summoned to the bed-
side of a very aged Dane, to whom he had shown at some time some
kindness. The dying man asked him if he knew where Durrow was,
and upon his answering that he knew it well, he directed him to go to
this moat for him, telling him he would find an entrance on its north
side, and directing him to bring him something which he had left inside.
The simple kindhearted Irishman went on his mission, came to Durrow,
found all as he had been told ; and after effecting his entrance to the
moat, and braving the wrath of an angry cat and also a watch-dog, on
whose head he was directed to throw an apron, he found not only the
garment he was told to bring, but much gold and silver as well. Being
very much frightened, and lest he should receive injury, he left the
treasure untouched, and returned with all haste to fulfil his promise.
But the story goes on to tell how, instead of being much pleased, the old
1 See also iii., Adamnan, Book in., cap. xv., quoted above.
2 A find is probably in store for some antiquary in the future in Durrow. In
1798, Mr. Stepney was building bis garden wall, and when the foundations were
being prepared, it is said he took possession of all the arras in the possession of people
in the neighbourhood, and buried them beneath the garden wall. At present there is
a tennis-ground where the old stableyard used to be.
226 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Dane was very wrath. "You did me a service," he said, "and I thought
to reward you. I gave you a great opportunity ; but since you have not
availed yourself of it, you will always remain in need." I give the
tradition as it has been told me, for I think it seems a pity that these
old traditions should be forgotten. This one in particular shows how
widespread and how lasting was the impression made by the inroads of
the Northmen, since the time of their incursions is still remembered,
and also that connected with their names there is almost invariably
linked some tradition of the magic which they practised. It seems
especially interesting to hear this tradition, too, about this mound, since
we have a written record of the Danes who were employed in making
mounds in Durrow.1
But from a story which, perhaps, may be deemed too mythical and
superstitious to be worthy of the regard of serious-minded people, we
may pass to one which is well authenticated, and which, though already
well known, it cannot be out of place to repeat while the site of the
fell deed is in your view. I venture therefore to tell again the story of
the murder of Hugh de Lacy. A contemporary who was a great admirer
of his, " Giraldus Cambrensis," gives us a graphic history of him ;
indeed, historians at all times have been much taken up with his life
and work ; for of all the Norman conquerors of Ireland no one seems to
have left a deeper impress of his strong hand and iron rule. His castles,
moreover, are still pointed out to us, by which he overawed the whole
of the kingdom of Meath and also Kildare. Wherever there was a
favourable site and a good post of advantage, there De Lacy seems to
have erected a stronghold. His very features and appearance are de-
scribed to us so vividly that we almost think we see him, as we read
of his dark features, flat nose, deep-sunk piercing black eyes, and the
horrible scar caused by a wound which disfigured a countenance which,
even apart from this, would not have been, attractive. His appearance
altogether was uncouth : small in height, ill-proportioned in shape, with
short neck and hairy body, it would seem as though the gifts aud graces
which nature had denied to him in his external appearance, she had more
than compensated for by reason of the muscular strength of body which
fitted him to carry out the feats of daring which his courageous spirit
prompted, or enabled him to follow out the wise counsels for the admi-
nistration of his government that his vigorous intellect devised. We
only regret to learn that so many fine qualities of the mind were spoiled
by his immorality and covetousness, and that, from the account of him
given by Giraldus Cambrensis, we are forced to the conclusion that his
moral character, like his physical features, was disfigured by a scar.
1 Cf. Miss Margaret Stokes's "Early Christian Architecture," chap. xiii. A
tradition, in many respects similar to this, used to he told me when a little child, of
a large mound at Rathwire, near Killucan. As Durrow is connected with the name
of Hugh, so Rathwire is connected with the name of Robert de Lacy.
THE TEEM ON OF DURROW.
227
So powerful had the great Hugh de Lacy become that the King of
England (Holinshed tells us) was by no means sorry when he heard of
his death. Leland, in his history, however, tells us that his death was
avenged, if not by his master, yet by his friend Sir John de Courcy.
In conjunction with young Lacy, son to the late lord, he is said to have
taken severe vengeance for the murder of his gallant countryman {cf.
"Giraldus Cambrensis" and also Hanmer) ; and it is not without signi-
ficance, in connexion with this piece of history, that we find that the
name of the old country of the Poxes, who instigated the murder, and
which was then called Munter Thadgan, has been changed, and the barony
now bears the name of Kilcoursey.
But the power of DeLacy is shown in another way, for just as after
his death there was a contention between Bective and St. Thomas' Abbey,
Dublin, as to who should have his body, so that they were not content
to let him rest in peace in Durrow, but Bective should claim his head
and St. Thomas' Abbey his body ; so also with respect to the occasion of
his death, there has been some dispute between those who record it as to
which place should have the honour ascribed to it of being the site of his
murder. Even in this neighbourhood there are some who will tell you
that he was slain, not at Durrow itself, but at Shancourt or Bosdeala
Castle, which is about a mile away. In 1838 John Daly of Kilbeggan,
aged 82, told O'Connor that it was while engaged in making a trench at
Shancourt that De Lacy was murdered. In 1898 John Daly of Durrow,
about the same age, gave me much the same account. It is evidently to
reconcile these two traditions that some say he was engaged making a
causeway between Durrow and Shancourt, and that it was while engaged
at this work he met his death. However, if De Lacy thought it advisable
to have these two strongholds so near one another {i.e. Shancourt and
Durrow), it is an evidence that Durrow was an important Celtic strong-
hold, and an especially advantageous position to make secure ; and the
event proves that he was not wrong in his judgment, for there the strong
Norman Conqueror himself was treacherously slain. Tradition tells us
that the murderer dressed himself in mean garments, and, took the place
of one of De Lacy's workmen when he went to dinner, and in this way
got the opportunity he sought for to accomplish the end he had in view.
One thing, however, seems clear to me, and that is, that all the authentic
accounts agree in making the Castle of Durrow,1 lying immediately at
the monastery of St. Columba, the site of the murder. At any rate this
is the account taken from the "Annals of Ulster ":— " 1186. Hugo
de Lacy, the profaner and destroyer of the sanctuaries and churches of
Ireland, was killed in revenge of Columbkille while making a castle at
Durrow. He was killed by O'Meyey of Tenia." We have the history
1 The "Annals of Clonmacnoise " point out to us that, even before De Lacy's
time, a castle existed in Durrow, since they tell us that the English, on this occasion
(1186), " finished and aided " the castles of Durrow, Byrre, and Kinnety.
228 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
in a still more interesting form in the "Annals of Lough Ce": —
" a.d. 1186. Hugo de Lacie went to Durrow to make a castle there,
having a countless numher of the English with him, for he was king of
Meath, Breefny, and Oriel, and it was to him the tribute of Connaught
was paid, and he it was who won all Ireland for the English. Meath,
from the Shannon to the sea, was full of his castles and English (fol-
lowers). After the completion of the work by him, he came out to look
at the castle, having three English along with him. There came then
one youth of the men of Meath up to him, having his battleaxe con-
cealed, named Gilla-gan-inathar O'Meyey, the foster-son of the Fox
himself, and he gave him one blow so that he cut off his head, and he
fell, both head and body, into the ditch of the castle."
I made excavations at two other places also. On the top of
another mound we found stones, which seemed to indicate that the soil
at some time had been moved. Then we came on some cinders, and
soon afterwards found an entire skeleton of a man. I have been told of
one other instance of a rath being opened, and of cinders being found
buried with a body. There was not the smallest trace of cremation, and
the idea suggested itself to me that perhaps the cinder may have been
made emblematic of the life which was extinct, and perhaps also of its
being capable of being rekindled. The other place, outside the grave-
yard itself, which I have made any attempt to excavate was at the
mound called Sine or Seehawn. There I found just a trace of mortar,
which would show that the tradition of the place, which says the
monastery was situate there, was not altogether wrong. In this part of
the demesne also the rabbit-holes are oftentimes found to contain num-
bers of human bones. I do not know that any other object of interest is
to be found outside the graveyard, except, indeed, the holy well, which
is still resorted to for cures, as the dead tree, covered with rags, which
stands beside it, testifies. Patron-day, June 9th, is celebrated at Durrow
with due honours. The peasants, too, will tell you how Mr. Stepney
long ago closed the well, and forbade anyone to use its waters ; but how
the spring would not be repressed, but, as a punishment to the sacri-
legious proprietor, burst up through the drawingroom floor. One could
wish that our Saint had also some method equally efficacious to repress
those ardent aspirants after cheap celebrity, who, in order to put them-
selves in evidence, must needs scratch their names on and deface the
inscription which in modern times has been put over the well. Under
the directions of Captain Garvey (the father of Mr. Toler Garvey, the
agent) the well was again cared for and covered in, and a suitable
inscription placed over it, with lines taken, I believe, from poetry sup-
posed to have been written by St. Columba about his other monastery at
Derry. The words are, nevertheless, quite as applicable to Durrow : —
" Here angels shall enjoy my sacred cell,
My sloe, my nut, my apple, and my well."
THE TERMON OF DURROW.
229
For one thing the reference to the apple will recall to those familiar
with Adamnan's "Life of St. Columba," the pretty story that is told
(Book ir., Miracles of Power, chap, ii.), entitled " Of the Sour Fruit of
a certain Tree which was turned into Sweetness by the Blessing of the
Saint." I think the story bears repetition, so I may be pardoned for
again quoting from Adamnan : "There was a certain tree very full of
apples near the monastery of Campus Roboris (i.e. Durrow), in the
southern part of it, and when the inhabitants of the place made some
complaint about the exceeding bitterness of the fruit, one day in the
time of autumn the Saint approached it, and seeing that the tree bore
abundant fruit to no purpose, which hurt rather than delighted those who
tasted it, raising his holy hand, blessing it, he says, ' In the name of
Almighty Grod, let all thy bitterness, 0 bitter tree, depart from thee,
and let thine apples, up to this time most bitter, be turned into the very
sweetest.' Wonderful to say, and no sooner than said, in the same
moment all the apples of that tree lost their bitterness, and, according
to the word of the saint, were turned to sweetness."1
Whether we are inclined to believe this miracle in its literal sense
as implicitly as Adamnan seems to have done, or not, we have to acknow-
ledge amongst the good deeds which these monks performed, the know-
ledge of agriculture that they acquired, by which bad land was so
enriched, that to this day it bears testimony to their skill. At the
present time the best land in Durrow is round the spot where the
monastery stood. It is, I think, with the exception of the land in the
vicinity of Tihilly, the only grass-land in the parish which is capable
of fattening cattle, and yet, so far as I can judge, the subsoil is much
the same as the district all around. The rabbit-holes show the same
kind of fox-sand which, in this district, lies close to the surface in all
the upland. This same thing was pointed out to me lately by one well
qualified to be a judge in agricultural matters, where land was tilled in
the neighbourhood of an old monastic building which for centuries had
been a luxuriant pasture. He pointed out to me that the land had no
natural richness, but owed its fertility to the superior management it
had received in the past. "Whether, then, St. Columba actually performed
a miracle on this apple-tree at Durrow, or not, we know his successors
evidently showed their sympathy for those not gifted with miraculous
powers in the knowledge of practical agriculture and horticulture they
imparted, teaching alike the farmers how to till their land, and
gardeners how to graft their apple-trees.
Another characteristic of these saints in old times strikes me as being
one which is, I believe, only found amongst the most civilized people
and refined natures, i.e. kindness to animals. This Christian duty,
which seems to be reviving at the present day, appears to have been
1 A similar miracle was ascribed to St. Mochoenoc : cf. Colgan's "Acta SS.,"
p. 893.
230 KOYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
understood by them. The most enthusiastic amongst us, in this respect,
have scarcely come up to our predecessors who lived in these monastic
institutions. Their affection for their animals led them even to depict
them on their crosses amongst the most sacred surroundings. Adamnan,
relating the story of St. Columba's life, is careful to relate his con-
cern for a crane which came to Iona from Ireland, and needed food
and rest ; and in his story of the saint's death, we read how the
old white horse was inspired by God to perceive that which was
hidden even from Columba's own. associates. And equal emphasis is
laid upon the animal's affection for the saint, and the saint's concern for
the old horse who had served him so well.
An account of Durrow, too, would be incomplete, if it did not take
notice of the rivalry which existed between Durrow and Clonmacnoise,
the foundation of Kieran the carpenter. The " Annals of Clonmacnoise "
tell us of a great battle, in 759, between the Family of Durrow
and Clonmacnoise, at Argamoyne. In 1070 we are told of another
battle with another great monastic institution, for we are told
how the people of Tenia came to the Termon land of Killeaghie, and
preyed and spoiled it. But our Adamnan once again comes in,
and tells us that this spirit of warfare was not the spirit of its
founder, and that in the oldest and best days of both places,
Christian love and Christian fellowship existed such as should exist
between all who claim that sacred title (Adamnan, Book i., chap. iii.).
" At another time the blessed man, while staying some months in the
central part of Ireland, founding, by Divine favour, his monastery,
which is called in Scotia (Irish) Dair mag (Durrow), thought it well to
visit the brethren who were dwelling together in St. Xieran's monastery
at Clonmacnoise ; and, on hearing of his arrival, everyone from the fields
about the monastery, together with those who were found gathered to-
gether within it, following, with all eagerness, their Abbot Alither, set
off, with one consent, going outside the enclosure of the monastery to meet
St. Columba as an angel of the Lord. And they humbly bowed, with
their faces to the earth, as they saw him, and, with all reverence, they
kissed him, and raising their voices in hymns and praises, they conduct
him through, with all honour, to the church ; and tying together a
canopy of poles, they had it borne by four men, walking in pairs, around
the saint as he walked, lest, mark you, a man of St. Columba's age,
should be thronged by the crowding together of such a multitude of the
brethren. And in that same hour a certain servant-boy, much cast
down in countenance, and meanly clad, and not yet approved by his
elders, came behind, hiding himself as much as he could, that he might
touch even the fringe of that cloak which the blessed man wore,
secretly, and, if possible, without his knowing or perceiving it. But
yet this was not hidden from the saint, for that which with his bodily
eyes he could not see done behind him, he perceived by spiritual vision,
THE TERMON OF DUKROW.
231
and so he suddenly stops, stretches out his hands behind him, catches
the boy by the neck, and drawing him forth, sets him in front of him,
while all those who are standing around say, send him away ! send him
away ! why dost thou detain this wretched and troublesome boy ? But
the saint, on the other hand, utters these prophetic words from his pure
heart : ' Suffer it to be so now, brethren — suffer it be so now ' ; but to
the boy, who is trembling all over, he says : * 0 my son, open thy
mouth, and put out thy tongue.' Then the boy, at his bidding, and
with much trembling, opened his mouth, and put out his tongue, and
the saint, stretching forth his loving hand, reverently blesses it, and
thus prophetically speaks, saying : ' Although this boy may now appear
to you one to be despised, and of very low esteem, let no one despise
him on that account ; for, from this hour, not only will he not displease,
but he will greatly please you, and in good conduct, and the virtues of
the soul he will, by degrees, advance from day to day ; wisdom also, and
prudence shall, from this day, be increased in him more and more, and
great is his future career in this your congregation. His tongue also
will be endowed by God with wholesome doctrine and eloquence.' "
This was Erene, son of Crasene, afterwards famous, and of the greatest
note among all the churches of Scotia (Ireland).1
1 Besides those passages quoted above, we find the following interesting references
made to Durrow in Adamnan's "Life of St. Coluniba," Book i., cap. 49: — "The
foreknowledge of the Blessed Man concerning the war which took place after many
years in the fortress of Cethrin, and about a certain well near to that place." In this
narrative Adamnan incidentally tells us of a "soldier of Christ, Finan by name, who,
for many years, led an Anchorite's Life near the monastery of Durrow (Roboreti
Monasterium Campi)." In Book n., chap, 39, we are told of Libran of the Reed
Ground. In the course of the narrative we are told how Libran faithfully took
the monastic vow ; and when he was being sent back by the holy man to the
monastery, in which he previously, for seven years, served the Lord as a penitent, he
received from him, as he bade him farewell, these prophetic words uttered concerning
himself : — " Thou shalt live a long life, and close the present life in a good old age —
not, however, in Britain, but in Ireland, will thy resurrection be." Hearing the
word, he (Libran) wept bitterly, on bended knees, and the saint seing him much
distressed, began to console him, saying: — "Arise, and let not thine heart be
troubled ; thou shalt die in one of mine own monasteries, and with my chosen monks in
the kingdom shall thy portion be ; with them shall thou awake from the sleep of death
to the Resurrection of Life." He then having received from the saint no ordinary con-
solation, greatly rejoiced, and made well by the benediction of the saint, went on his
way in peace — which true prophecy of the saint concerning the same man was after-
wards fulfilled. For while he served the Lord in obedience in the monastery of the
Plain of Lange, though many rolling years after the passing away of St. Columba
from the world, the monk being sent, in extreme old age, to Scotia (Ireland) on some
monastic service, as soon as he went down from the ship, passed through the Plain of
Breg (in Meath), and came to the monastery of Oak Plain (Durrow), and there received
as a guest in the guest house ; afflicted by some infirmity, on the seventh day of his
sickness he departed in peace to the Lord, and was buried among the chosen monks
of St. Columba, according to his prophecy to rise to eternal, life."
In Book in., chap. 9 tells of the soul of a blacksmith carried off to heaven by
angels. This Columb Coilrigin lived in the central portion of Ireland — " In Mediter-
ranea Scotise." In Book i., chap. 3, which I have quoted above, Durrow is thus
described: — "In Mediterranea Hibernise parte monasterium quod Scotice dicetur
Dair-mag."
232 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
I don't think I conld conclude with an incident better calculated to
leave on your minds a pleasing impression of life in ancient times in
Irish monasteries, or a narrative better calculated to give us a lofty
idea of the character of him who founded Durrow more than 1300 years
ago. I can best comment on it by using the words of the prophecy
ascribed to St. Patrick, and said to have been uttered, concerning
St. Columba, one hundred years before his birth, that "there should
descend of ffergus one who, for sweetness of life and hospitality, would
prove a very good man."
Termon of Durrow.
( 233 )
SOME RESIDENTS OF MONKSTOWN IN THE
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
BY FRANCIS ELRINGTON BALL, M.R.I.A., Fellow.
[Read November 29, 1898.]
Tn order to realize the appearance of Monkstown in the last century we
must picture to ourselves a thinly peojDled and rural tract of country,
bordered by a rocky and barren shore, and approached by roads, which,
from their condition, and from the footpads, who frequented them, were
alike dangerous and disagreeable to the traveller. The parish extended
from Blackrock to Dalkey, embracing all the land on which Kingstown
is now built, then called Monkstown Commons,1 and the church was the
only one, save that of Stillorgan, between Dublin and Bray, and served
not alone for the residents in Monkstown, but also for those in the parishes
of Dalkey, Killiney, Kill, and Tully.2
Of the history of Monkstown Dr. Stokes has told us much in his
inimitable papers on " The Antiquities from Kingstown to Dublin,"3 but
the basis for this paper is a document, which had not then come under
his notice, a return made, in 1766, by the curate of Monkstown, for a
religious census of Ireland, which was taken in that year by order of the
Irish Parliament. In some cases the clergy gave only the number of their
parishioners, but fortunately for us, the curate of Monkstown returned
the names of those within his charge.4
Let us now suppose ourselves in the year 1766, setting out in the
month of April to take a walk through the parishes, already mentioned,
which formed the ecclesiastical union of Monkstown. Starting from
Blackrock, we pass up by what has since been called Temple Road, and
come to the foot of Temple Hill, where, turning round the corner, we
descend towards the sea, and find ourselves in Newtown Castle Byrne,
or Newtown on the Strand, as Seapoint was then called. There a
number of detached houses have been recently built, each of them
surrounded by a garden, and by more or less land.5
1See Rocque's " Map of the County Dublin," published by Laurie and Whittle.
2 Stillorgan and Kilmacud were also included in the ecclesiastical union of
Monkstown until 1764, when Stillorgan Church began to be used, aud a resident curate
was appointed. See the Journal for 1898, p. 21, note 4, and p. 331, note 6.
3 See the Journal for 1893, pp. 343-56, and for 1895, pp. 5-15.
4 The " religious returns " of 1766 are preserved amongst the " Irish Parliament
Records," in the Irish Public Record Office.
5 " Newtown" is plainly shown on Rocque's map, the survey for which was made
about 1750, to have been situated where Ardenza Terrace and Seapoint Railway
Station now stand. It was a small town, and in an old lease the square of Newtown is
234 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
"We come first to " the cell hard by ye Sable Rock " with its watch-
tower and lawn, where dwells Lord Charleraont's most devoted hermit,
his old tutor, Edward Murphy.1 He is ever glad to share a chop and
some fruit with his friends, and exhibits to us with delight all the rare
things which he had acquired abroad when travelling with his noble
pupil. He shows us his busts of the Roman emperors and empresses
— a truly imperial series — which were modelled for him at Rome from
the originals by an artist called Simon Vierpyle, who for four years,
winter and summer, stood in the chilly Capitoline museum to execute
the task, and which were pronounced by connoisseurs to be duplicates
not copies.2 Then he exhibits his curious calabash bowl, his Italian
artificial flowers, his glass and china, and his Turkish bows and arrows.
We gently chaff him on the descent from Irish kings which he claims,
and he tells us how delighted he was with Killarney, where he had been
a few years before, and that he had never seen abroad a finer view than
was to be obtained from the top of Mangerton. Poor fellow ! he is de-
pendent on Lord Charlemont's bounty. He is far from well, but wishes
"to go out of this world like a gentleman, that is to say, as a gentleman
slips out of a room without disturbing his friends who stay to take the
other bottle," and it is only when " two wonder-working leeches, the
celebrated Dr. Trotten, and the sage Dr. Noddy" become necessary for
the prevention of further havock, that he tells his patron of his illness,
who at once increases his " dearest Neddy's" pension.3
mentioned. The " Great Room of Castle Byrn, near the Blackrock," was well known.
Assemblies were constantly held there ; and we find Lord Chancellor Jocelyn dining
there in 1749, with the gentlemen of the Court of Chancery, on the anniversary
of the battle of the Boyne. See Faulkner's Dublin Journal, April 28, to
May 2, 1741; July 4-8, 1749, and Due's Occurrences, May 31 to June 4, 1743.
Blackrock was then a much smaller place, but later on it began to increase in
importance ; and in Due's Occurrences, July 10-14, 1764, it is announced that a
spacious ball-room has been opened at " the Sign of the Ship at Blackrock." Much
information about Newtown is to be obtained from an advertisement of an auction at
Dick's Coffee House in Skinner's Row, of Mr. Edward Shanley's concerns at
" Newtown-on-the- Strand, now Newtown Castle Byrne," in Due's Occurrences,
Sept. 6-10, 1757, and from a deed poll from Howard and others to LaTouche, of
Feb. 3, 1758, in the Registry of Deeds' Office.
1 Murphy, who was a native of Tipperary, was a scholar and graduate of Dublin
University. Sir John Gilbert, in editing the Charlemont Correspondence, has styled
him, "Rev.," but he was not in orders. In the announcement of his death, on
Sept. 12, 1777, it is mentioned that he was "one of the best classical scholars in
Europe." — Exshaw' 's Magazine. From an interesting communication to " Notes and
Queries" for 1899, on Barry 0*Meara, who was a grandnephew of Murphy, I have
found that Murphy was buried in the Queen's County. The author is mistaken,
however, in saying that Murphy is styled " Rev." on the tombstone.
2 Murphy left these busts to Lord Charlemont. He says in his will that they
would be useless to his relatives, as there is no one in Dublin with "taste, cash, or
spirit enough " to buy them, and their transit to London would be attended with
such breakage as to render them worthless. They were presented, in 1868, to the
Royal Irish Academy, by the 4th Earl of Charlemont, and are now ranged round the
room, known as the museum, on the book-cases. See Proceedings of the R.I. A., for
1868-9, App., pp. xxxvii, xlv.
3 See " Correspondence of James, 1st Earl of Charlemont," edited by Sir John
Gilbert, Hist. MSS. Com., Rep. 12, App. pt. x., vols. i. and ii., passim; also-
RESIDENTS OF MONKSTOWN IN EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 235
Close by lives the Eev. Thomas Heany,1 the curate of Monkstown,
whom we find busy preparing the census return. He was appointed to
this cure in 1742, on the death of the Key. Allen Maddison,2 who had
held it for fifty years. Heany, who had previously been curate of St.
Peter's and of Donnybrook, owed his appointment to Lord Chancellor
Jocelyn, whose friendship he enjoyed through his marriage to a daughter
of Walter Harris. A year after he was given the curacy of Monkstown,
when driving from town with his wife, he had a terrible experience of
the dangers of the Blackrock-road. Near Booterstown his horse ran back,
and he and his wife had only time to leap out of the chaise before the
horse and vehicle disappeared over a great precipice and were dashed to
pieces.3
Not far off we find the country residence of Lieutenant-General John
Adlercron, who is now living in his house in Dawson-street. As colonel
of the 39th Eegiment of Foot he took no inactive part in the operations
in the East Indies under Lord Clive, and after his return the Lord
Lieutenant, the Earl of Halifax, was amongst those who partook of his
hospitality at Newtown.4
We come next to the villa belonging to the Lord Chief Baron, the
Bight Hon. Edward Willes, who is also now residing in town, in his
house on the north side of St. Stephen's Green. The villa is called by
him Eockneld, and stands on what is known as the Castle field. It is a
unpublished letters in the Charlemont MS. Correspondence in the Royal Irish
Academy ; letter from Chief Baron Willes, Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 29252 ; and
Prerogative Will of Edward Murphy.
1 LI eany was a scholar and M.A. of Dublin University. He was ordained at St.
Peter's, on June 1, 1729, and was licensed curate of St Peter's and of Donnybrook,
on March 4, 1735, and of Monkstown on February 12, 1742. He married in 1739
Elizabeth Harris, and died in February 1769. See Todd's " Graduates of Dublin
University," "Dublin Diocesan Registers," and Exshaw' s Magazine.
2 Maddison, who was a native of Fermanagh, graduated in 1685, B. A , in
Dublin University, and proceeded M.A. in 1688. He was licensed curate of
Monkstown, on April 20, 1691, and was collated in 1709 to the Prebend of
Lulliaghmore in Kildare. He was buried under the Communion Table of the old
Church of Monkstown, on January 29, 1742. See Todd's " Graduates of Dublin
University," Cotton's "Fasti Eoclesiae Hibernicse," Monkstown Parish Registers,
&c.
3 See Dublin Consistorial Will of Thomas Heany, and Pile's Occurrences,
June 25-28, 1743.
4 General Adlercron was descended from Huguenots, who settled in Dublin at the
close of the seventeenth century. He became Colonel of the 39th Regiment in 1752,
and embarked in March, 1754, from Cork for the East Indies. He was promoted to
the rank of Major-General in 1758, and Lieutenant-General in 1760. He married in
St. Peter's Church, Dublin, on July 18, 1737, Elizabeth, daughter of Lieutenant-
Colonel Arabin, and had three children — John, who was gazetted in 1757, a cornet in
the dragoons, married, in 1774, Miss Bermingham, and died in 1782; William Hargrave,
who was also a dragoon officer, and died in 1780, leaving hu ge charitable bequests ; and
Elizabeth, who married, in 1766, Sir Capel Molyneux, Bart. Adlercron died at
Newtown, on July 27, 1766, ''of an apoplectic fit after eating a hearty dinner." See
La Touche's "Registers of the French Churches in Dublin," "Notes and Queries,"
3 S., iv. 383, 460; Prerogative Wills; Exshaw's Magazine for 1757, p. 608;
Lyons's " Grand Juries of the County Westmcath," vol. ii., p. 3; Pue's Occurrences y
March 9-12, 1754, April 20-24, 1762, July 29, 1766.
JOL'K. U.S.A. I., VOL. IX., PT. III., 5xH SER.
s
236 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
pretty little house — a thatched cabin, as he loves to call it — surrounded
by a few acres of land, and a garden which slopes down to the sea. From
one window of his parlour he looks out on the channel, which divides
him from his English home ; and from the other he has a charming view
of the Dublin mountains, of valleys and of woods, with country houses
here and there, and the little town of Newtown underneath, and of Lord
Allen's obelisk1 in the distance, then considered the truest in proportion
and beauty of any monument of the kind on this side of the Alps.
Willes deserves more than passing mention, and I must digress for a
moment to say a little about him. He was an Englishman, a member of
an old Warwickshire family, and a cousin of the great Chief Justice
Willes. He held in England the offices of Recorder of Coventry, Attorney-
General of the Duchy of Lancaster, and King's Serjeant- at -Law when
elevated, in 1757, to the chief seat in the Irish Exchequer vacant by the
promotion of Bowres to the Chancellorship. Duhigg does not estimate his
legal attainments very highly; and in the Exchequer he was overshadowed
by the great Anthony Malone, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, who
from love of his profession, exercised his right of sitting in court with the
barons. Willes has, however, left behind him letters and memoranda
relating to Ireland, which, while proving the thorough knowledge that
he acquired of the country and of the people, show that he was possessed
of a mind of no ordinary intelligence and activity. They indicate, also,
that he was a man of the highest integrity, and that he acted, as he says
himself, on the principle that a judge ought, like Caesar's wife, to be
above suspicion.
The letters are addressed to his friend, the then Earl of Warwick.
In them he describes the country through which he passed when going
the five circuits. "While on the North-West he visited the Giant's
Causeway, and while on the Munster, Killarney. Of these places he
gives most interesting accounts. He was usually accompanied on circuit
by his wife, a lady " of excellent, cheerful spirits." In most of the
towns, entertainments were given in honour of the judges and bar; and
in Cork, where the Chief Baron was much struck by the beauty of the
women, there was a specially large and brilliant, assembly. The Chief
Baron's eldest son graduated in Trinity College ; and while a student we
find him making a speech in the Printing-house to the Duke of Bedford
when, as Lord Lieutenant, he visited the University, and again, six years
later, addressing, in the Philosophy School, the Earl of Northumberland
when he came to the college in a similar capacity. This son afterwards
took orders, and, though of a retiring disposition, gained a high reputa-
tion as a scholar. The Chief Baron suffered much from both gout and ague,
which were aggravated by the discomforts which he had to endure on
circuit. In the year of which I am writing — 1766 — his health com-
1 See the Journal for 1898, p. 30.
RESIDENTS OF MONKSTOWN IN EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 237
pletely broke down, and he sought relief in his native air. He never
returned to this country, and died two years later at Newbold Comyn,
his seat in Warwickshire.1
Adjoining the Chief Baron's villa is a handsome house, surrounded by
fruit trees and flowering shrubs, belonging to Mr. Thomas Burroughs, an
eminent attorney, related by marriage to the Nugents of Clonlost, in the
county Westmeath.2
We come next to Seapoint House, the country seat of the Honorable
Robert Marshall, one of the judges of the Common Pleas. He is now,
I think, at Bath trying to restore his health, which, has been sadly broken
•oi late.
Here I must again digress to notice briefly one who, though forgotten
as a judge, is still recollected as the co-residuary legatee (with Bishop
Berkeley) of the unliappy Yanessa. He was the son of Mr. John Mar-
shall of Clonmel, and was called to the bar in 1723, the year in which
Yanessa died. Bishop Stock has accused him of no kindly feelings to-
wards Swift, but this feeling, if it ever existed, must subsequently have
changed, for he was one of those who endeavoured to promote a national
memorial to the Dean after his death.3 Having secured a seat in
parliament, as one of the representatives of his native town, Marshall was
appointed a serjeant-at-law. He was leading counsel for the claimant
in the celebrated Annesley peerage case, and obtained a verdict for his
client. As a speaker he was probably tedious, and possessed of little
natural eloquence; one of those grave Serjeants who, if they rose to speak
in the House of Commons near midnight, were, Francis Hardy tells us,
as certain, though, sad, harbingers of day as the bird of dawning ever
was. In 1754 he was raised to the bench. As I have mentioned, he
was in bad health at the time of which I am writing. He resigned his
seat on the bench, a few months later, but lived for some years after his
retirement. His wife, who was a Miss Wooley, a granddaughter of Sir
Abraham Yarner, was said to have brought him a fortune of £30,000.4
3 Chief Baron Willes's memoranda, and a copy of his letters to the Earl of
"Warwick, are in possession of Mrs. Willes, of Newbold Comyn. There is another copy
•of the letters in the British Museum, Add. MS. 29252. See Hist. MSS. Com.
Kept. 2, App., p. 103, and Rept. 3, App., p. 435 (where he is confounded with his
cousin, Edward Willes, who was Solicitor-General and a Judge of the King's Bench
in England) ; Colvile's ''Worthies of Warwickshire," p. 812; Field's ''Memoirs of
the Rev. Samuel Parr," vol. i., p. 204; Field's "Account of Warwick," pp.
•330,380, Faulkner 's Dublin Journal, March 15-17, 1757 ; Exshaw's Magazine
May 5 and June 3, 1757 ; lease from Coates to Willes, of June 29, 1763, and from
Willes to Day, of March 22, 1769, in Registry of Deeds Office.
- See Pue's Occurrences, Oct. 23-26, 1762, and May, 26-29, 1764, and for his
•death at Bath, Skater's Dublin Chronicle, May 23, 1789,
3 Since 1 read this paper, Dr. Birkbeck Hill has published Swift's letters to
Knightley Chetwode. From one of these it appears that' Swift thought Marshall
was responsible for the publication of the poem of Cadenus and Vanessa. Hill's
" Unpublished letters of Dean Swift," p. 189.
4 See paper on "Robert Marshall of Clonmel, Esq.," by F. E. Ball, in the
Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society for 1897, p. 263 ; Carroll's
" Succession of the Clergy of St. Bride," p. 26 ; and Hardy's " Life of Charlemont,'
vol. i., p. 139.
S 2
238 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
We make our way next to Newtownpark-avenue. In a small house
near the Bray-road lives Mr. William Ralphson, of Clongill, a very
wealthy and charitably-disposed gentleman,1 and in the house after-
wards known as llockfield2 we find a family called Manning.
We proceed then to the church of Monkstown.3 About twenty
years before our visit it was enlarged, but it is still a small structure.
On the east of the churchyard lives Mr. Robert White, and on the
north, almost on the roadside, opposite to Monkstown Castle, is the
house which Viscount Eanelagh built and now occupies.4 Some years
ago he claimed, as the descendant of the second son of the first Viscount,
the title which had lain dormant for nearly fifty years, since the death
of his cousin, the notorious Earl of Kanelagh. He is Chairman of
Committees in the House of Lords, and is dependent on the grants voted
to him by the peers, and on a small pension from the Crown, as the
fortune of his ancestors went in the female line, and his father, who
was an officer, dissipated such means as he had. The English
Government has in him a zealous supporter, but he is popular on
account of his interest in local affairs, especially in the improvement of
1 He died on Dec. 14, 1784, and left large legacies to his three nieces, who had,
married respectively, Dr. Stock, Bishop of Killala, Dr. Newcombe, Bishop of
Waterford, and the Rev. Henry Palmer, Archdeacon of Ossory. The residue of his
property he bequeathed to trustees for charitable purposes. The latter gave £3000 to
the Rotunda Hospital, with which the Governors bought houses in Cavendish Row.
These, until recently, bore a tablet with the words, " Ralphson's Rents." A ward
in the hospital is also called by his name. See Faulkner'' s Dublin Journal, Dec.
14-18, 1784, Skater's Dublin Chronicle, June 18, 1789; Irish Builder for
1897, pp. 57, 71; and lease from Gill to Ralphson of April 30, 1770, in Registry of
Deeds Office.
2 Rockfield, now the residence of William P. Geoghegan, Esq., is one of the oldest
houses in the neighbourhood, and though to some extent spoilt by alterations, retains
many of its original charming, and quaint characteristics. It was occupied during
his vice-royalty by the Marquis of Townshend ; and probably it was the companion of
Wolfe who caused the martial design, with the words, " Britain's Glory " underneath,
to be erected on the wall of the staircase. Subsequently it was occupied by Sir
Frederick Flood, and later on by Sir Boyle Roche. See Dublin Evening Post
Feb. 6, 1794, for advertisement of " Rockvale," and leases in Registry of Deeds
Office.
3 A wood-cut of the ruins of this church will be found in the Dublin Fenny
Journal, vol. iii., p. 241. It was built after the Restoration, on the site of the ancient
"chapel of Carrickbrennan." In 1748, it was decided to build an additional aisle
" for the more convenient accommodation of the parishioners." This was done at a
cost of some £80, besides the expense of pews and flagging, which was borne by
those who were given seats in the aisle. Some thirty years later it was reported to
Parliament that the parishioners had resolved that the church was not sufficient for
their accommodation, and that being very old, and in a ruinous condition, it ought not
to be enlarged, but taken down and re-built on a more extensive plan. In 1785, a
petition was presented to the Privy Council for a change of site ; and in the same year,
on September 1, the foundation-stone of a new church was laid by the Lord Lieutenant,
where the present church of Monkstown stands, and on its completion it was
consecrated on August 30, 1789. This church, which was called St. Mary's, and of
which a picture appears in the Journal for 1895, p. 7, was replaced by the existing
marvellous structure, about the year 1830. See Exshaw' s Magazine for 1785,
p. 503, and for 1789, p. 502; Monkstown Vestry Book, 1744-77; and "Irish
Parliament Records " in Irish Public Record Office.
4 See Monkstown Vestry Book, 1744-77.
RESIDENTS OF MONKSTOWN IN EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 239
the port of Dublin. He is a constant attendant at the Monkstown
vestries, and active in his efforts to repress the footpads on the Dublin
road.1
At Monkstown Castle, still a habitable dwelling, lives, I think, Mr.
Robert Elrington, who has recently arrived from Jamaica, and whose
native servant is no doubt an object of much curiosity.3
We setoff then to Salthill, where resides Mr. William Roseingrave, 8
with the amiable and accomplished young lady he has recently married.
He is one of the secretaries in Dublin Castle, and is a member of a
family renowned for their musical talents.
Walking along the shore we come to the small village of Dunleary,
and find the pier, the building of which was undertaken in 1756 by
parliament, in response to a petition of Dublin merchants, rapidly
approaching completion. Some £15,500 has already been expended on
it, and a young engineer officer, called Vallancey,4 is now engaged in
completing it.5 It has already proved of great service in bad weather,
and as many as eight vessels at a time have safely anchored under its
protection.6 Close to the pier lives Mr. George Glover, the surveyor of the
port, and in front of his house lies the revenue yacht, " the Newtown
Barge,'' on which he often entertains his friends. He was recently
publicly thanked by the Corporation of Weavers for his exertions to
1 See "Lansdowne Papers, Ireland," Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 24137, vol. ii., ff. 59,
72; Blacker's "Sketches of Booterstown," pp. 174-175; Gilbert's '"History of
Dublin," vol. iii., p. 274; Prerogative Will of Charles Viscount Ranelagh, 1797;
Cockayne's "Complete Peerage"; "Monkstown Parish Registers"; Haliday's
"Scandinavian Kingdom of Dublin," edited by John P. Prendergast, p. xiv ;
Skaters Dublin Chronicle, October 11th, 1787. Lord Ranelagh had a numerous
family. His eldest son, who was a captain in the navy, acted as aide-de-camp to the
Lords J ustices appointed on the death of the Duke of Rutland, and displayed great
bravery when the packet, in which he was crossing on one occasion, was wrecked at
Holyhead. See Skater's Dublin Chronicle, Nov. 8, 1777, and Exshaw's Magazine for
1790, p. 671. For an account of the exploits of Lord Ranelagh's descendant, who
gained such an unenviable notoriety in connexion with Madame Kachel, of "beautiful
for ever" fame, see Notes and Queries, 8 S., vi. 322.
2 Probably Mr. Elrington was a descendant of Thomas Elrington, the well-known
Dublin actor of the beginning of tbe eighteenth century. He subsequently went to
reside at Milltown, and died in 1774. See Due's Occurrences, May 23-27. 1769, and
Sept. 1-4, 1770; Dublin Grants, Intestacy, 1774, Robert Elrington; Monkstown
Baptismal Register, 10 Nov., 1765.
3 Koseingrave was the second son of Ralph Roseingrave, organist of St. Patrick's
Cathedral, and grandson of Daniel Roseingrave, and nephew of Thomas Roseingrave,
both well-known composers of their day. He was Chief Chamberlain in the Court of
Exchequer, 1749-59 ; customer and collector of Kinsale, 1749-61 ; sometime Keeper
of the Privy Signet for the Right Hon. Edward Southwell, Secretary of State for
Ireland; Secretary to the Lords Justices; and compiler of the Dublin Gazette. He
died at Salthill, Feb. 28, 1780. See Dish Builder for 1877, p. 192 ; Prerogative Will;
Faulkner's Dublin Journal, Nov. 28 to Dec. 2, 1749; Dublin Gazette, July 8, 1760;
" Diet, of Nat. Biog." under " Daniel Roseingrave."
4 The well-known Irish archaeologist, General Vallancey.
5_ See "Journals of Irish House of Commons," Nov. 3, 1755 ; March, 1756 ; and
April 19, 1785. Under Vallancey's direction, £1900 more was expended on the pier.
It was originally intended to spend £21,000 on it, and £18,500 was actually voted by
Parliament for its construction.
6 Faulkner's Dublin Journal, Nov. 13-17, 1764.
240 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
prevent the smuggling of silks.1 In past years Lord Tullamore, Lord
Southwell, and Lord Lanesborough resided at Dunleary ; and Mr. John
Carden, of Barnane, in the County Tipperary, has now a house and large
place of over a hundred acres close by.2
Next we walk across the dreary commons of Monkstown to Bullock,
where, in a comfortable house under the castle, lives Mrs. John Watson,
the widow of a revenue officer, whose only son was killed a few years
ago while attending races at Bray.3
We pass then through Dalkey, a decayed and deserted town, and
come to Loftus Hill, the residence of Colonel the Hon. Henry
Loftus, M.P., for Bannow, in the County Wexford. The name of this
house has been several times changed ; built by the Malpas family, who
own the soil, it was originally called Mount Malpas ; then Captain
Edward Maunsell, who occupied it for some years, called it Rocksborough;
and now Mr. Loftus has changed its name to Loftus Hill. He has
rebuilt the liouse, and, possessed of an unbounded passion and skill for
improvement, has reclaimed the land, and planted the gardens with
every kind of fruit tree, and with a most superb collection of flowers.4
Henry Loftus is the Count Henrico Loftonzo, who figures so
prominently in the pages of " Baratariana," and I must stop our walk
to tell you something of his history. He was the younger son of
Nicholas Loftus, a descendant of the great Archbishop Loftus, on whom
a barony and viscounty were conferred. These titles were now in
possession of Henry's elder brother. The latter had married the
elder daughter and co-heiress of Sir Gustavus Hume of the County
Fermanagh. She had died soon after the birth of their only son. This
son was extremely delicate, and his father, who led a most dissipated
life, treated him with the greatest cruelty. In the year of which I
am writing, 1766, the father became seriously ill, and died in October
at his brother's house in Cavendish -row, having a few days before been
created Earl of Ely.
Then began one of the causes celehres of the eighteenth century.
1 Faulkner 's Dublin Journal, July 3-6, 1762, and April, 13-16, 1765.
2 See Faulkner' s Dublin Journal, March 26-30, 1745, and Sept. 24-27, 1748, for
advertisements of the great dwelling-bouse and garden in the town of Dunleary, where
those peers had resided; also lease from Coleman to Carden of Oct. 1, 1753, in Registry
of Deeds Office.
3 See Faulkner1 's Dublin Journal, June 3—7, and July 26-29, 1760, and "Re-
collections of the Life of John O'Keeffe," vol i., p. 293.
4 See Faulkner1 s Dublin Journal, Sept. 23-26, 1752, for advertisement of Rox-
borough, formerly called Mount Malpas, containing about 150 acres of land, enclosed
by a stone wall, and a new, well-finished house of six rooms and two large closets on
a floor, with offices. Also see " Topographical Description of Dalkey and the Environs "
by Peter Wilson in Fxshaw's Magazine for 1770, p. 489, and lease from Malpas to
Maunsell of July 12, 1763, and from Maunsell to Loftus of Feb. 28, 1764, in Registry
of Deeds Office. Loftus Hill appears to have been on the site of the present Killiney
Castle. In 1790 Killiney Hill was in the possession of Lord Clonmell, the Chief Justice
of the King's Bench. It was said he was about to build a house there, and he had about
190 labourers employed in making roads. See Skater's Dublin Chronicle, Nov 11, 1790.
RESIDENTS OF MONKSTOWN IN EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 241
Henry Loftus lost no time in getting his nephew, now the second Earl
of Ely, under his control, and brought him up from Clermont, near
Wicklow, where he was living, to his own house. The only sister
of the young Earl's mother had married Mr. George Rochfort, of
Rochfort, in the County Westmeath, and they had long sought to prove
that their nephew was an idiot, in order that their son might succeed to
the Hume estates. A commission was now issued by the Chancellor,
and, after an inquiry lasting six days, the young Earl was found
to be of sound mind. The Rochforts appealed to the English House of
Lords, and resorted to every form of legal procedure to obstruct Henry
Loftus in the management of the Earl's affairs. Meantime, Loftus
appears to have taken every care of his nephew. In 1769 he took him
to Bath and Spa in pursuit of health, but the Earl died a few weeks
after his return, at Rathfarnham Castle, the ancient seat of his family,
which he had repurchased.
By a will made a few days before his death, he left everything to
his uncle, Henry Loftus, who succeeded to the barony and viscounty.
It was contested by the Rochforts, who again raised the question of
their nephew's capacity. In the end the will was established.
According to the pages of " Baratariana," Count Loftonzo deserted his
old political friends, in order to obtain a favourable judgment from the
innocent Phil Tisdal, who was judge of the Prerogative Court, as well
as Attorney-General and leader of the House of Commons. These pages
tell also of his wife's ambition to secure the Lord Lieutenant, the
Marquis of Townshend, as husband for her niece, the lovely Dolly
Monro, and of Loftonzo' s intrigues to obtain an Earldom. A large
picture of Loftus and his wife in the Irish National Gallery bears
witness to the stately magnificence of the man.1
Adjoining Loftus Hill, in a small house called Ballinclay, lives Sir
Oliver Crofton, a baronet of not the most immaculate character. Loftus
has found him anything but a pleasant neighbour. Last year he threw
down their boundary wall, and Loftus had to seek the protection of the
House of Commons on account of his conduct, and that of his servants —
two of whom were taken into custody by the serjeant-at-arms. Some
twenty-five years ago he stood his trial for killing Mr. John Massy, of
Duntrileague, in a duel ; and his proceedings after the death of his
predecessor in the title did not raise his reputation.2
We come next toRochestown House, temporarily occupied, I think,
by Mr. Edward Nicholson, collector of excise for the city of Dublin,
1 See Brown's "Reports of Cases determined in Parliament," edited by Tomlins,
vol. i., p. 450, vol. vii., p. 469 ; Prerogative Cause Papers, Ely v. Kochford, 1769-70,
in Irish Public Record Office; " Rathfarnham Castle, its Sale and History," by John
P. Prendergast, in Irish Times, May 19,1891; "Baratariana," p. 151 et passim;.
Faulkner's Dublin Journal, Jan. 24-27, 1767.
2 See "Journal of Irish House of Commons," Nov. 14, 1765 ; File's Occurrences^
Jan. 24-27, 1740-41; Aug. 21-24, 1742; June 14-18, 1743; Aug. 12-16, 1746;
Mey 7-11, 1751 ; Jan. 25-29, 1763 ; Prerogative Will of Sir Oliver Crofton, 1784.
242 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
who is married to a granddaughter of the third Earl of Inchiquin.i
It is a fine mansion, the largest in the neighbourhood, and the well-
planted demesne is one of much beauty. We admire the stately drive,
and the great gates, and listen to the pleasant music of the tinkling hells
which the sheep carry round their necks.2 It is the seat of the Malpas
family, to whom nearly the whole of Rochestown belongs. This family
settled at Dundalk in very early times. At the close of the sixteenth
century, three brothers, sons of "Walter Malpas of Dundalk, came to
Dublin. One of them married a daughter of Alderman Robert Kennedy,
who had purchased Rochestown from the Talbots, its original owners.
Kennedy had five sons, but they died without issue, and under a decree
of innocence, his great-grandson, by the marriage of his daughter to
Francis Malpas, succeeded to the property. He married a daughter of
the third Viscount Fitzwilliam of Merrion ; and it was his son who built
the obelisk on Killiney Hill, and his great-grandson, Mr. John Malpas,
who is in possession of the property at the time of our visit.3
Passing by Johnstown, the residence of Mr. Love Hiatt, we come to
Cabinteely House,4 the residence of Mr. Michael Lyme, the present
representative of the O'Jlyrnes of Cabinteely,5 who inherited the property
through the marriage of one of their ancestors to a daughter of the
house of Cheevers. He is an elegant and accomplished gentleman, and
sings French songs with much taste in a select coterie in Dublin, of
which he is a member. He was educated at Eton and Oxford, and
1 See Lodge's " Peerage of Ireland," by Archdall, vol. i., p. 108, vol. ii. p. 60;
Prerogative Will of Edward Nicholson, 1780. He was M.P. for Old Leighlin,
1761-69.
2 See Wilson's "Description of Dalkey " in Exshaw^s Magazineiox 1770, p. 489;
Gaskin's "Irish Varieties," p. 198; and Dublin Journal, Nov. 10-14, 1741, for
advertisement of the demesne of Rochestown, consisting of 34 acres divided into six
parks, with house in good order, and extensive stabling and offices, including' brew-
house and grillroom, with a good hopper, malt-house, kiln, and very good pigeon-
house; also gardens, orchard, pleasure garden, and bowling green. The house, which
still exists, bears a tablet with the Malpas arms, and underneath " John Malpas, Esq.,
1750."
3 A member of the family — Sir John Malpas — was the victor of Edward Bruce in
the battle of Faughart, near Dundalk, in the fourteenth century. The Malpas suc-
cession, so far as relates to the ownership of Rochestown, is as follows: — Francis
Malpas married Mary, daughter of Alderman Kennedy. His son, Patrick, married,
and died in 1662-3. His eldest son, Christopher, married, in 1674, Rose, daughter of
William, 3rd Viscount Fitzwilliam, and died in 1718. His eldest son, John, who
built, in 1741, the obelisk on Killiney Hill, married Frances, daughter of Matthew,
7th Baron of Louth, and died in 1756. His eldest son, Christopher, married, and died
in Germany in 1765. His eldest son, John, married, 1st, in 1757, Catherine, daughter
of Sir Andrew Aylmer, Bart., and 2ndly, in 1762, Martha, daughter of Thomas
Wfieatley of Ashton, Cheshire, and died in 1793. His only surviving child (by the
second marriage) and heiress, Catherine, married, in 1789, Richard Wogan Talbot,
afterwards created Lord Talbot de Malahide, and the Rochestown estate thus passed
again to the Talbots. See D'Alton's "King James's Irish Army List," p. 292;
"History of St. Audoen's Church," in the Irish Builder for 1886-87 passim ; Pre-
rogative and Dublin Consistorial Wills; Dublin Grants; and Funeral Entries in
Ulster's Office.
4 See Monkstown Baptismal Register, Oct. 8, 1778.
5 This is the house now called Marlfield. The house now known as Cabinteely
House was not then built.
RESIDENTS OF MONKSTOWN IN EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 243
acquired his knowledge of continental languages while serving for a
time as an officer in the Austrian army.1
"Walking on a little further we come to Brenanstown, where lives
Captain Luke Mercer, the well known revenue officer, and where in a
mild winter, three years before our visit, strawberries ripened, and
apple trees came into bloom.2 As commander of " the Thompson," and
afterwards of " the Bessborough," galley, Mercer was renowned for his
efforts to prevent smuggling on the coast. He now occupies a higher
position, and seldom goes to sea, unless to escort the Lord Lieutenant
to or from our shores. He takes usually with him then an escort of a
hundred soldiers, and a plentiful supply of provisions and wine, lest the
voyage may be prolonged.3
Retracing our steps, we come to the ruined church of Kill, and find
living in Kill Abbey, Mr. Isaac Espinasse, who served for a time as an
officer in the dragoons. His father, a descendant of a noble French
family, fled from France after the revocation of the edict of Nantes,
and settled in Dublin. He took after a time this house and a large tract
of land, which is held under the Chapter of Christ Church Cathedral.
It is one of the oldest houses in the neighbourhood, and bears the date
of its erection, 1595, over the door.*
On our way to Blackrock, Ave pass Maunsell Lodge, the residence of
the widow of Captain Edward Maunsell, the former owner of Loftus Hill.
Her son, Thomas Hid gate Maunsell, has developed a taste for genealo-
gical research, and is collecting material for a pedigree of his family.5
How scattered and few, in 1766, were the houses of any importance
we have now seen ; and it is not surprising to find that the total population
of the five parishes — Monkstown, Dalkey, Killiney, Kill, and Tully — was
then only 1933 — less than an eighth of thepresentpopulation of Kingstown.
1 His mother was a sister of Robert Nugent, afterwards created Baron Nugent,
Viscount Clare, and Earl Nugent. Through his uncle's influence Byrne was returned
in 1768 to the British Parliament as M.P. for St. Mawes. He died at Cabinteely,
when only in his 28th year, on Nov. 7, 1772, and was buried with great funeral pomp
in the family vault in St. Audoen's. ' ' See Recollections of the Lite of John O'Keeffe,"
vol. i., p. 294 ; Dublin Gazette, Nov. 7-10, and 14-17, 1772 ; also see a pedigree of the
O'Byrnes of Cabinteely, by G. D. Burtchaell, in the Irish Builder for 1887, pp. 114,
288. It was Earl Nugent who built the present Cabinteely House, which was origin-
ally called Clare Hill.
2 See Pue' 's Occurrences, Dec. 12-15, 1763. Brenanstown had been, previous to
Mercer's occupation of it, the residence of Francis Le Hunte, an eminent Dublin
physician, who died there in 1750. See Faulkner' 's Lublin Journal, Dec. 1-4, 1750.
3 Captain Mercer died in March, 1781. His niece married Chief Justice Carleton.
Paragraphs in Dublin newspapers from 1733 to 1766 ; Exshaw's Magazine for 1781 ;
"Lord Charlemont's Correspondence," vol. i., p. 216.
4 See pedigree of the Espinasse family in Berry's " Pedigrees of the Families of the
County Kent," p. 333; "Brown's Cases determined in Parliament," edited by Toinlin,
vol. vii., p. 345. Kill Abbey is still in the possession of the Espinasse family.
5 Captain Maunsell, who was descended from the same ancestors as the Maunsells
of Limerick (see Burke's "Landed Gentry," 1898, under Maunsell, ot'Thorpe Malson),
served as High Sheriff of the County Dublin in 1755, and died in York-street on Jan.
25, 1765. He married, in 1746, Catherine, widow of William Roberts, nee Ridgate. She
died on March 2, 1779. See Exshaw's Magazine; Dublin Grants; and Prerogative
"Wills ; also letter from Thomas Ridgate Maunsell in the Cole collection in the British
Museum, Add. MS. 5846, p. 67.
214 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
THE ANCIENT STONE CROSSES OF UI-FEARMAIC,
COUNTY CLARE.
BY DR. GEO. U. MACNAMARA, Hon. Loc. Sec. for North Clare.
[Submitted April 12, 1899.]
Part I.
TV/'hen dealing with objects of antiquity of a similar character, it is-
often desirable, when practicable, to take them in groups
corresponding to the ancient tribal divisions of the country. On exami-
nation, this arrangement will, I think, be found the most convenient,
not to say scientific; for, besides bringing the subjects treated of into a
clearer light, it lends itself more readily to the use of future archaeolo-
gists ; and even the tourist — that most exacting of individuals — can
hardly object. A few words, therefore, in the nature of a general glance
at the district here concerned, may not be considered out of place.
"Ui-peapmcnc, Cinel-peapmaic, or the Upper Cpioca-cet) of
T)dl-ccup, one of the primary divisions of ancient Thomond, corresponded
exactly, as far as can be known, in extent and boundaries, with the
modern barony of Inchiquin. It consisted of nine parishes, and formed
the extreme limit on the north-west of the extensive territory of Dal-
cais, or the tribal lands occupied by the free non-tribute-paying descen-
dants of Cas, the eponymous ancestor of the tribe. The O'Deas
(Lla-t)ea&ai&) were lords of Ui-Fearmaic down to at least the middle of
the 16th century,1 and being descended from Aengus-Cinnathrach, the 5th
son of Cas, were of the royal blood of Oilioll-Olom, king of Minister.
Under them the O'Quins (Lla-Cuinn), the Clann- (or Muintir) Iffear-
nain, an interesting but insignificant sept, occupied the country immedi-
ately around Corofin : the O'Griffys (Llci-^piobca) and Mac Brodys
(mac-bpuaibea&a), the south-eastern part of the district called Cinel-
Cuallachta ; 2 and the Mac-Enchros and O'Huires (now Crowes and
Howards), the western part touching on Ibrickan, known as Ereintir-
Feaimacach. The exact boundaries of these subdistricts cannot now be
accurately defined.3
1 Vide Annals, Four Masters, year 1558.
2 This is mentioned in the " Wars of Torlogh," and probably consisted of the eastern
portion of Dysart parish and the adjoining part of Kilnamona, containing the castles of
Ballygriffy and Miigowna.
3 -Breintir-Fearinacach, now called Breintre, was, according to Dr. J. O'Donovan,
composed of seven townlands north-east of Mount Callan, but, unfortunately, he does
not name them (vide note, Annals, Four Masters, under year 1599.)
ANCIENT STONE CROSSES OF UI-FEARMAIC, CO. CLARE. 245
The tribe-name, Ui-Fearmaic, appears to have been derived from
Fermac,1 6th in descent in the O'Dea pedigree from Aengus-Cinnathrach,
or Aengus of Ceannathrach, who got this distinctive soubriquet from a
well-known mountain of the name adjoining the lake of Inchiquin.2
Because of this nickname of the progenitor of the O'Deas, the con-
clusion is irresistibly forced upon us, that he and all his kinsmen
and followers, who formed the stock from which in after-times the
Ui-Fearmaic descended, must have settled in this district during Aengus' s
lifetime {circa a.d. 450), not very long subsequent to theDalcais conquest
of Clare, which latter event took place soon after the murder of Crim-
thann, king of Ireland, on Sliabh-Oighidh-an-Righ3 (a.d. 378), namely,
in the last quarter of the 4th century. For Lughaid-Menn, IOI. (son of
Aengus-Tireach), and his son Connal, violently wrested that county from
the king of Connaught, "in eric of Crimthann, son of Fidhach," his
murdered kinsman, on which account Thomond received the name
of " Lughaid-Redhand's cruel Swordland."4 It is of much interest,
moreover, to note that the inhabitants of this district, from the time of
their settlement in Ui-Fearmaic under Aengus Cinnathrach, i.e. about
sixty years after King Lughaid's conquest, down co sometime in the
12th century — when a general movement westwards of the, race of Cas
seems to have taken place — were altogether isolated from the rest of
their kinsmen. They were surrounded on all sides by tribes of different
blood, and were, in fact, the only Dalcais septs west of the Fergus,
Magh-Adhair, and Sliabh-Echtghe. On the north-west they meared with
the Cinel-Aodha of Echtghe and Aidhne (the O'Shaughnessys), who were
of Eremonian race ; on the north and west with the Corcamodhruadh
(the O'Loghlens and O'Connors) of the line of Ir ; on the south-west
with the Corcabhaiscinn5 (O'Donnells of Thomond, etc.), descendants of
Lughaid, son of Ith ; and on the south and east with the Ui-Cormaic
(O'Hehirs), who were an offshoot of the Ui-Fidhgheinte (an Eoghanact
sept), and their kinsmen of Magh-Adhair6 east of the Fergus, who had
settled there at an early period.
1 Probably peaprhaic = a strong or able man. In 1594 there was a family named
Mac Fearmacaigh in parish of Killard, barony of Ibrickan (Trans.' R.I. A., vol. xv.,
Ko. xxxiv.). From this family the Castle of Dun-M6r-mhic-an-Fearmacaigh, now
Dunmore, in above parish, must have received the name (Annals, Four Masters, 1599).
r , 2 Ceannathrach means Hill of the Serpent or Serpents, and is now Kintlea (Ceanut-
sleibhe), 1J miles north-west of Corofin. Perhaps the legend that Ireland was not
always exempt from venemous reptiles may have, sifter all, some real foundation in.
fact. The name is probably pre-Christian, as from very early times the king of Cashel
had a residence, the site of which cannot now be identified, on or near this mountain.
3 Now the Cratloe Mountains, north-wrest of Limerick.
4 Vide "Death of Crimthann" (" Silva Gadelica"). Lughaid bad probably
invaded the district before Crimthann's murder.
5 This particular part of Corcabhaiscinn became settled in the 12th century by the
Mac Gormans (now O'Gormans) of Leinster, who were of lhe race of Cathaoir-Mor,
king of Ireland, and the district got the name of Ui-Braccain {vide interesting note,
" Book of Rights," p. 212).
6 " Donnchadh L'a-h Aichir, Lord of Magh-Adhair, died," a.d. 1099. At this
date Magh-Adhair had not yet become part of Ui-Caisin.
246
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
The O'Deas, O'GrifEys, Mac Brodys, and MacEnchros, held their
ground in Ui-Fearmaic until Cromwellian times, several of them being
landholders in the district in 1641 ; but the O'Quins. in some unknown
and mysterious way, lost their patrimony, and were reduced to insig-
nificance in or about the twelfth century, from which time their lands
having been appropriated by the O'Briens, they figure no more in the
chequered history of Thomond.
The north-eastern half of Ui-Fearmaic is of carboniferous lime-
stone formation, and rich in antiquities, both pagan and Christian. The
south-western half consists of the superimposed shale rock, but, with the
exception of a few scattered earthen forts, is verily an archaeological
desert. Building stone, no doubt, was hard to be got in the latter half,
and wood was probably plentiful ; but, as the civilization of the entire
district was practically identical, I am unable to offer any explanation of
this extraordinary fact.
With these preliminary remarks, I now turn to the proper subject-
matter of this paper. The ancient crosses to be described are four in
number, namely, Dysert-O'Dea, Kilnaboy, Skeaghavannoe, and Kilvoy-
dane. That of Dysert-O'Dea may fairly be ranked in the first class of
our Irish stone crosses; and, although previously described by more than
one writer of ability, for one reason or another has not been dealt with as
thoroughly as it deserved.1 There are special reasons, as will be seen,
why the history of the Kilnaboy cross should be minutely entered into,
for its very identity has been impugned. The crosses of Skeaghavannoe
and Kilvoydane may not be considered of much archaeological interest,
but, as they have never been described before, and will complete the
ancient crosses of the district, I thought it well to include them.
Dysert-O'Dea.
This very fine old cross stands about 150 yards east of the well-known
church of Dysert-Tola, on a small mound composed of loosely-packed
stones, covered with a thin sodding of grass. It may be said to consist
of a quadrangular base, on which rests a large block wdth sloping sides,
supporting the shaft, head, and cap.
The base is a solid square piece of masonry, 2 feet 4 inches high, and
measuring 4 feet 9 inches north and south, by 3 feet 9 inches east and
west. It consists of several limestone blocks, and was originally 7 inches
higher, for the top is incomplete, and one of the coiner-stones which
formerly finished it, with corresponding moulding, may be seen loose on
the ground near by. There is a panel 23 inches high by 20 inches wide,
with key-pattern ornamentation, cut on the centre stone of the north
side. On the same side, between the aforesaid panel and the north-east
1 Vide " Journal R. S.A.I. ," vol. iv., Part 2. Mr. T. J. Westropp informs me
that the sketches of Dysert Cross in his Paper, were done from photographs, and,
consequently, he was unahle to give the details of the sculpture as fully as from
rubbings.
ANCIENT STONE CROSSES OF UI-FEARMAIC, CO. CLARE. 247
corner, is a purposeless, small, deeply-sunk panel, 9 inches high by 6 inches
wide, with rope-knot ornament. The angles of the base have round
corner-mouldings, at each side of which is a shallow channel, which,
when the work was complete, was continued along the top, and ends at
the bottom in various nondescript patterns (see p. 250, figs. 2 to 5).
The south side of the base also has a panel cut on the central stone
similar to that on the north, but measuring 24 inches high by 1 Sc-
inches wide. The east and west sides are devoid of all ornament except
the corner-mouldings. On this square base rests what was once a single
block, 1 foot 9 inches high, sloping from 4 feet 3 inches north and south,
by 3 feet 4 inches east and west at the bottom, to 2 feet 6 inches by
1 foot 9i inches respectively at the top. The north-west corner hns
been worn or broken off for 23 inches on west side, and 8 inches on
north side, horizontal measurement, and in the gap a new piece of stone
was inserted at the time the cross was repaired by the late Mr. Francis
H. Synge, of Dysert.
The upper block is much holed and channelled by time, which to a cer-
tain extent might be accounted for by the inferior quality of the stone,
WW 1 1 | | | | , | i , , i i 7 'Nl -v^or
St. Tola's Cross, Dysert O'Dea. — North side of Base.
but the style and character of the workmanship would lead one to infer
that its age is anterior to the rest of the cross. The carvings on it are rude
but of great interest, and a good light and sharp eyes are requisite in
order to appreciate the details, many of which, on account of the decayed
condition of the stone, take some time, even under favourable circum-
stances, before they can be adequately realized. By dint of careful
rubbings, however, and much time aud close inspection, the various
objects in the accompanying engravings have, I think, been made out as
satisfactorily as their weatherworn condition permits.
On the east face is a panel of snake-knot pattern, of very pretty and
intricate design, but much worn and injured towards the southern end.
Under the panel, in incised capitals, is the following inscription : —
" THIS CROSS WAS NEWLY REPAIRED BY MICHAEL 0 | DEA SON OF CONNOR
CltONE 0 DEA IN THE YEAH | 1683." 1
1 The pedigree of Michael O'Dea, the restorer of the cross, is given in " O'Hart's
Irish Pedigrees." It has all the appearance of being genuine, but, like the other
matter in that work, sadly wants authority.
248 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
On the south is the figure of a man with his hands raised, each, one
on either side, being in-
serted into the open mouth
of a monster, the folds of
which are distributed in
snake - knots over the
panel. Underneath, in
incised capitals, is cut : —
il EE-ERECTED BY FRANCIS
HUTCHESON SYN | GE OF
DYSART FOURTH SON OF THE
LATE SI | R EDMUND SYNGE BART. AND MARY HELENA | HIS WIFE IN THE
YEAR 1871."
On the west side is a most extraordinary carving of two winged
angels, the wings consisting of a series of banjo-shaped members,
intended, as 1 take it, to represent feathers. A hand of each figure is
holding a staff with pear-shaped head, which latter is much worn, and
possibly may have originally been intended for the head of a crosier ; but
if such were really the case, there is now no trace of scroll upon it to
Dysert O'Dea. — South side of Base.
West side of Base.
enable one to decide the matter. The whole has a most bizarre appear-
ance, forcibly recalling to mind some specimens of Assyrian sculpture.
In the centre, towards the bottom of this panel, which is very much
dilapidated for its northern half, is a sickle-shaped object, to which two
"feathers," similar in design to those on the angels' wings, appear to
belong.
The stone is so damaged by the weather, a great portion of it being
totally defaced, that it is very hard even to suggest an explanation of this
curious piece of sculpture. Perhaps, however, it embodies some legend or
tradition, now long forgotten, connected with St. Tola ; or, if we interpret
ANCIENT STONE CROSSES OF UI-FEARMAIC, CO. CLARE. 249
the sickle-shaped object as intended for a serpent or dragon, may it not
be a fanciful representation of the killing by divine agency of the broic-
seach, or badger-monster which long ago was said to have committed
awful havoc on the people of this part of the country, until securely
chained for ever by St. Mac Creiche, about 200 years before the days of
Tola, to the bottom of Loch Broicsighe.1 In not many years hence, time,
which has already played sad havoc with the stone, may have probably
completely obliterated this strange carving.
On the north side, in high relief, are the figures of four men in
tunics, the two central ones holding a staff with a tau or crutch head, and
ringed near the lower end. The figure at the east end of the panel holds
a short pastoral staff, with a crook much of the same type as the Dysert
crosier in the collection of
the Royal Irish Academy.2
The figure to the west is
so damaged that it is im-
possible to state anything
further concerning it. It
has been ingeniously sug-
gested that this group repre-
sents two men swearing on
a sacred staff, in the presence
of a bishop and another
person.3 This is a very North side of Base,
rational explanation ; but it
also may, and, I think, "with more probability, have been intended for
the ceremonious planting of a termon boundary mark, with full form of
brehon law, in the presence of the ecclesiastical and lay authorities and
their witnesses. Ee these opinions correct or not, the carvings are of
a very ancient date, and deserve the close attention of archaeologists.
The shaft consists of one whole stone, 4 feet 11 inches high, and 16£
inches of the lower end of another stone, of which the head of the cross is
formed. It measures at the bottom 2 feet li inches north and south, by
14£ inches east and west, tapering to 17 inches by 11 inches respectively
at the top. On the east face, entirely on the lower stone, is the figure
of St Tola, in very high relief, in full episcopal canonicals, mitre on
head, and the left hand holding a pastoral staff, with a scroll head not
at all like the Dysert crosier in the Eoyal Irish Academy's collection.
The front peak of the mitre is worn off, which gives it a resemblance to
a cap ; but I think there can be no doubt whatever it was intended
for a mitre. The right hand was formed out of a separate stone, fixed by
a tenon into the body of the figure, but is now wanting. As is usual in
1 Now the lake of Rath, one mile north-west of the cross. Vide O'Curry's
M. & C, vol. iii., p. 322, for this legend of the badger- monster.
Vide "Journal R.S.A.I.," vol.iv., Part 4, p. 339.
Ibid., Part 2, p. 156.
250
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
similar carvings of a bishop, and as can be inferred from the direction of
the now empty mortice, the hand was held forth at right angles to the
body, as in the act of giving the episcopal blessing.
The north, south, and west faces of the shaft are each divided into
four panels of nearly equal length, except the lower two on the west
face, the one nearest the base
on that side being 24 feet high,
while that immediately above
it is only 9 inches. On the
north side the top panel shows
a zigzag fret pattern, the three
lower ones are formed of dif-
ferent varieties of beast-knots,
the lowest being finished at
the bottom with a fret- border
4 inches high. On the west
side the two middle panels have
beast-knot patterns, and the top
and bottom panels are fret-
pattern, the lowest having a
corresponding border of snake-
knot pattern, 4 inches high.
Of the panels on the south
side, the top one is key-pattern,
the three lowest ornamented
with various zooniorphic de-
signs, the lowest finished at
the bottom with a fret border
similar to that on the north
i. East face. 2. Panel on South Base 'face of the shaft.
3,5. Panels on north of 4. Ornament on E as m -, „ ,,
Base. Base. I HE HEAD, exclusive 01 the
St. Tola's Cross, Dysert O'Dea. capstone, is 2 feet 8 inches high,
and measures 3 feet 3 inches
across the arms. These have spiral rolls in their hollows instead of the
circle usual in Celtic crosses, and are 14^ inches high by 10 inches thick.
On the east face, over the figure of St. Tola, and extending downwards for
a foot on the shaft, is a representation of the crucifixion. The Saviour
is clothed in a garment resembling a shirt, extending to the middle of
the calves, and covering the arms to the wrists. The head of this figure
is formed of a separate stone, and until a few years ago it was quite
loose, being held in position only by two wooden wedges. Even after
the re-erection of the cross by Mr. Synge, in 1871, at the suggestion of
my father, the late Dr. Michael Macnamara of Corofin, it was a common
occurrence for persons suffering from headache, with the aid of a ladder
to remove this stone, and put their heads for a short time into the hole
ANCIENT STONE CROSSES OF UI-FEARMAIC, CO. CLARE. 251
far the purpose of being cured of the ailment. Fearing that it might
be lost or injured by this practice, Mr. Browne (a brother, I believe, of
Mrs. Synge), who happened to be on a visit to Dysert, got the head
fastened in its place with cement in the year 1883, and so it remains
ever since.
North and south sides of Shaft.
On the west face are five raised lozenges, 5£ inches square, forming a
cross, four of them ornamented with rosettes, and the remaining one
with superimposed trefoils. Between the lozenges are scrolls of an
earlier type, the whole producing a very pleasing effect. The arms are
embellished witlTzoomorphs, and the neck with a leaf pattern, but the
JOXJK. U.S. A. I., VOL. IX., PT. III., 5TH SER. T
252 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
former are much worn from exposure to the full brunt of the west wind.
The head of the cross, although it is evident that much thought and care
have been expended on it, is strangely irregular in its lines, the end of
the southern arm overhanging about an inch ; but, perhaps, this only
gives it a character, and adds to its picturesqueness.
The Cap is a plainly-cut, unornamented stone, shaped somewhat like
the roof of a house. It is 9 inches high, measuring north and south
14 inches, by 9 inches east and
west, and now fastened on ther
top of the vertical arm with cement.
Similar stones, now lost, were once
attached to the ends of the horizon-
tal arms, each by a single tenon,
the mortice holes for same being 2£
by 3 inches. The total height of the
cross from the top of the sloping
base block to the summit of the
capstone is at present 10 feet.
The cross appears to belong to
the same period as the oft-described
" romanesque" doorway of the
church, that is to say, the middle
of the twelfth century, but many
of the details strangely point to a
later style.1 So much is this the
case, that some may think part of
the cross was newly done in imita-
tion of older work, when it was
"restored" in 1683 by Michael
O'Dea. The block with sloping
sides immediately under the shaft,
judging by its weather-worn state
and the rudeness of the human
figures, certainly looks older than
the head ; but this appearance may
l"* f, , , I*"" be due to the inferior texture of
West face of Shaft. the stone, and to the unaccount-
able inferiority of our early Irish
cSards when delineating the human form.
To Tola, of the race of Corbmac, son of Teige, son of Cian, son
of Oiloll-Olum, K.M., the church ofiflt)ipeapc-Cola, in Dalcais, was-
1 The half- finished and plain panels of the crosses of Kells (Meath) and Clonmac-
noise suggest that some portions of our crosses may have heen completed much later
than the main structure. This would explain not a few difficulties as to apparently
later ornaments.
ANCIENT STONE CROSSES OF UI-FEARMAIC, CO. CLARE. 253
dedicated, and his feast-day was held on March 30th.1 He is also, with
good reason, supposed to have been its founder, and identical with Tola,
son of Donchadh, bishop of Cluain-Iraird (Clonard), in county Meath, and
West side of Head.
also the founder of Disert Tola in barony of Delvin, county Westmeath,
whose death, the Four Masters say, took place in a.d. 733.2 His holy
1 Martyrology of Donegal.
2 The Annals of Clonmacnoise give the year of his death as a.d. 735. The Annals
of Ulster as a.d. 737.
T 2
254 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
well is about 260 yards south-east of the cross, and now forms the head
of an open trench, its very existence being forgotten by the people.
There is no legend that T have heard of in connexion with the cross, but
there is a very quaint one told about the round tower — to wit : — This
tower, it is said, was originally erected about a mile away, close to the
church of Rath-Blathmac, and it only came to rest in its present position,
north-west of the church of Dysert O'Dea, in the following manner : —
"While the holy man, who lived at Rath, was one day overcome with
sleep, St. Banala of Dysert stole the bell-tower, and, throwing it on her
shoulder, made off with it towards her own church as fast as her legs
could carry her. Before she had fully accomplished her design, the
clergyman of Rath awoke, and, seeing his beloved tower being borne
off towards Dysert, started in hot pursuit after the thief. St. Banala,
staggering under her heavy load, was of course no match for the owner of
the bell-tower, so, finding herself about to be overtaken, just where the
stream crosses the road a little west of Mr. Synge's lodge, gave the tower
a most effective and judicious pitch, and landed it in its present position
near her own church of Dysert, where it stands to-day a crumbling but
weighty witness of the truth of the story ! In the effort of casting the
tower she fell on her knee, the impression of which was as plain as the
nose on your face, upon a stone in this very spot, until some alterations
were made by Mr. F. H. Synge, which covered it from view.1
The accompanying drawings of St. Tola's Cross have been made from
rubbings taken by Mr. T. J. Westropp and myself, and reduced by him
to present scale. For this, and for many other things, I tender him my
sincere thanks.
Note added in the Press.
The patron saint of Dysert is now invariably called Bawnawla by
the people of the parish, who know nothing whatever of St. Tola. How
this extraordinary verbal corruption came about will be best told in the
words of Eugene 0' Curry, who, besides his great ability as an Irish
scholar, had the advantage of investigating the matter sixty years before
our time. He says : —
" The people all about here call it Cros-Bhanala, who they think was
a woman, was {sic) the patron saint of the parish, but it is easy to see
how this mistake grew up with the corruption of the name. They have
1 No matter how ridiculous a legend at first sight may appear, there is always hidden
in it, one may he sure, some nucleus of truth — no matter how small — like the fly in
amber. Many carved stones in the present church of Dysert belong to a much older
structure, and may have been brought, for aught we know, from the more ancient site
of Rath. Something such as this, we may be certain, started this curious story,
which is a downright credit to the imaginative powers of the natives of Dysert.
ANCIENT STONE CROSSES OF UI-FEARMAIC, CO. CLARE. 255
a habit of distinguishing objects and places by their colours — as Boirne
bhan an Aolmhaighe, White limy Burren ; Teampull dubh na hMdhnighe >
the black church of Eidhneach ; Crossa geala Cillfhionnalhrach, the
white crosses of Kilfenora ; and in the present instance, Cros bhan
Thola, i.e. the white cross of Tola, which subsequently was corrupted
into one word thus, Cros Bhanola, which was further altered into
Banala, and supposed to express the name of the foundress of the
church. There was no person in the parish to whom I explained the
progress of this corruption who did not believe it to be the truth, and
acknowledge that doubts were always entertained in the parish on the
same subject, as the name of Banala could not be found among any of the
Irish saints. It is curious to find, however, that the Disert Tola, in the
county "Westmeath, is called by the natives Diseart Awla."1
1 Ordnance Survey Letters, R.I.A., 14 B23, Oct. 23rd, 1839. The cross was in
ruins when this letter was written, and there was no tradition as to how or when the
injury was done. St. Tola's patron day was kept at this time, hoth in Dysert and the
adjoining parish of Kilnamona, on the 30th March, which looks as if they were once
united, representing, perhaps, the ancient tribal division of Cinel-Cuallachta. 0' Curry
also adds (p. 144) : "I must correct my assertion that everyone [to whom] I mentioned
the progress of the corruption of the name Banala believed it" : and tells the legend of
how the round tower was carried off from Rath to Dysert, as told him by one Jimmy
Kishane, and which is virtually the same as that given above .
The name of the saint is rendered " St. Naul " on the label attached to the crosier
of Dysert in the collection of the Royal Irish Academy.
( 256 )
Bronze Caldron found at Milkernagh Bog, near Granard, Co.
Longford. — This fine] cauldron (now in my possession) was found in
June, 1884, under 12 feet of turf, in Milkernagh Bog, near Granard, in
the county Longford. It is made of thin sheets of bronze about 3^ of
an inch thick. The bottom piece is round, 16^ inches in diameter; the
next row consists of two strips, 2 feet 4 inches long, 3£ inches wide ;
the second row is formed of three pieces, 1 foot 3 inches, 1 foot 8 inches,
and 2 feet 5£ inches long ; all of these are 3^ inches wide ; the third
row has three pieces, each 1 foot 10£ inches long and 3£ inches wide.
Bronze Caldron from Milkernagh Bog, Co. Longford — Side View.
(From a Photo by H. A. S. Upton.)
The top piece forming the rim has only two pieces, each 2 feet 4 inches
long and 7 inches wide joined together under the handles. These top
pieces are narrowed in to form the mouth, and are then spread out for
li inches, and finally turned round a bronze ring 19 inches in diameter
and § inches thick, thus forming the edge. The top of this rim is
ornamented with a raised punching from underneath, which is well
shown in the accompanying photographs. The caldron is riveted
together with conical bronze rivets about £ inch apart, and the plates
MISCELLANEA.
257
-also lap about the same. These conical rivets are undoubtedly for
ornamentation, as they are placed across many of the bronze plates, thus
.giving the idea of a joint.
The handles consist of two bronze rings 4|- inches in diameter and
\ inch thick ; the eyes which hold them are \\ inch wide, and have
a ribbed ornamentation. These eyes are fastened to the caldron by
twisted bronze stays 3^ inches long, fastened to the sides, two inside
and two out.
The caldron measures 19 inches diameter outside, 15£ inches across
the mouth, 13£ inches deep, and has a girth round the largest diameter
of 57 inches. It is in a perfect state of preservation. — Henry A. S. Upton,
F-B.S.A.I., M.R.I.A.
Bronze Caldron from Milkernagh Bog, Co. Longford — Interior.
(From a Photo by H. A. S. Upton.)
Ancient m Caldron. — Mr. "W. J. Thomas sends a report on the same
•object above described by Major Upton, in which he says : —
"jThis interesting relic of a bygone age was found (during the opera-
tion of cutting turf) by Mr. P. Gavigan of Eenroe, Granard, so far
back as the month of June, 1884. The site of the discovery was Mil-
kernagha bog, near Granard, at a depth of twelve feet from the surface.
258 ROYAL SOCIKTY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
The largest circumference of the cauldron is 5 feet 6^- inches, the outer
rim diameter 17 inches, the inner 15^ inches, breadth between outer
portion of handles 22£ inches, and greatest depth 13i inches.
" The vessel now forms part of the private collection of Major Henry
A. S. Upton of Coolatore, Moate, Westmeath, and probably rivals, if it
does not eclipse, the best specimens of either bronze or iron cauldrons
heretofore discovered."
At Tobar-Iosa (Tubbereesa), near Cahir.
Holy Well and Antiquities near Cahir, Co. Tipperary.— I enclose
a pen sketch of a " Holy Well " near Cahir, county Tipperary. Perhaps
some member can, from the form
of the cross incised in the upright
stone (a) give some idea of the
antiquity of the place. In the
drawing I have omitted the modern
covering roof erected over the
ancient stones, and also the various
figures, pictures, and other objects
standing on or near the flat hori-
zontal slab (b), and which almost
hide the deeply cut cross and circle
{a). The well is named after the
Blessed Lord (Tubar-Iosa — Cubap-
lopa, pron. Tubbereesa), and gives
an abundant supply of pure water.
There is also, about two miles from Cahir, in the north slope of the
Galtees, another " Holy Well" — St. Pekaun's {i.e. Pecan or Pecan).
This ancient sanctuary contains, besides the Holy Well (which once
possessed a "holy trout," since impiously caught!), a small roofless
chapel with an inscribed stone, apparently an object of reverend
regard.
There is also, near at hand, the remains of an upright cross, broken
maliciously. I was told that the culprit was soon after taken with a
pain and died — an end not unmerited, if the story be true, as the act
was one of sacrilege, not merely wanton mischief, as the cross would
appear to have been one of peculiar sanctity, if it be the same as
Pecan's cross mentioned by Colgan. Near at hand there are what seem
like the ruins of an anchorite cell, containing a stone marked with two
knee hollows.
The whole place is a most pathetic example of the persistent reverence
for antiquity, which is such a marked trait in the character of our
peasantry.
The place is remote and little visited now ; and is about four miles
from Bansha and two from Cahir.
MISCELLANEA.
259
Smith's "Diet, of Christian Biog.," vol. i., p. 300, under Becan (2)
quotes from Colgan that the above-mentioned Becan (2) dwelt at the
monastery of Kilbrecain or Cluainaird-Mobecoc, in Munster. O'Clery
puts the " site of this church in Muscraighe Breoghain (barony of
Clanwilliam in Tipperary)." This latter is, in fact, the district in
which St. Pecaun's Well is situated, — G. Ntittall Smith, Member.
" Chief Rents belonging to the 'Earle' of Kildare in the Manor
of Adare." — In looking over an old manuscript rental in the valuable
collection of our member, Mr. John Morton of Limerick, I find the chief
rent of the lands of Ballycullane, county Limerick, stated as " one red
rose and one penny."1 It would be interesting to know if other cases of
flowers forming portion of a rental have come under notice of the
Society or its members.
Truly there is poetry in the memories of of the past — " Sweet Adare,"
innocent of visions of "Land Commissions" et hoc genus omne ! The
rental is undated, but is, no doubt, of the seventeenth century, as it
refers to the " Earle of Kildare " (patent for the Marquisate, dated 19th
March, 1761), whose county Limerick estates were, by an Act passed
about 1692, enabled to be sold, and were disposed of in 1711, when the
manors of Adare and Croom were purchased by ancestors of the Earl of
Dunraven, and Mr. Croker of Ballynagarde, respectively. — 11. W.
Christie, Member.
A Cashel on Sliabh na Caillighe. — A little to the north of a line
joining the summits of Belrath hill and
Patrickstown hill, but in the townland
of Ballinvalley, lies the only structure
of the kind with which I am acquainted
in that part of the country. Its owner,
Mr. Woods, having kindly given per-
mission to excavate, I set men to work
last year to remove strips of the sod
about 3 feet wide, and the same dis-
tance apart. The result was disappoint-
ing, as nothing was found except the
remains of the dwelling with a fire-
place of a couple of flagstones in its Cashel in BamnyaUey.
centre, as shown in the plan.
The bounding wall is dry built, and in parts is about 8 feet high,
1 Such services were very common, being apparently copied from English
. examples ; they cannot be regarded as a certain evidence of Irish custom, or of
Horticulture.
260 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
but it is much injured; its greatest diameter is 116 feet. The floor
enclosed slopes towards the west at an angle of 7° 30'. — E. Ceofton
RoTHERAM.
Note on Sliabh na Caillighe. — A few stones in the cairns on this
range of hills have, I believe, hitherto escaped publication, and I enclose
drawings of some of them.
The illustrations, figs. 1 and 2, show both sides of a slab measuring
6 feet 8 inches x 3 feet 9 inches, which divides two of the northern
SCR
Fig. 1.— In Cairn L.
Fig. 2.— In Cairo L.
chambers in cairn L. Conwell, in a general view of the interior of this
cairn, shows part of one side of this stone, but this can hardly be considered
a satisfactory representation of it.
Fig 3 represents the remains of a stone about 7 feet long, at present
lying on the floor of cairn L. The rather peculiar ornamentation on
it has been cut or scratched and not punched, the latter being the
most usual method employed among the incised stones of Sliabh na
Caillighe.
MISCELLANEA.
261
Fig. 4 is from a fragment1 in cairn TJ.
Fig. 5 represents what seems to be a dividing stone2 between two
chambers in cairn V, bnt the irregularity of the plan
of the stones remaining in this cairn makes it impos-
sible to be sure of their purpose. The existing
inscribed stones in the cairns on these hills, which
have not been illustrated, probably do not exceed
half-a-dozen in number, and for the most part are of
such trifling interest as not to be worth publishing,
Fig. 3.— In Cairn L. Fig. 4.— In Cairn U.
Fig. 5.— In Cairn V.
the designs being either a few concentric rings or irregular scrawls,
apparently without meaning or design. One exception is a slab in the
western chamber of cairn H, on which are incised a number of
U-shaped marks. Owing to the partial destruction of the chamber I
cannot get at this stone to draw it, by reason of the debris which
covers it.
I append a list of all the references to illustrations of stones in these
cairns with which I am acquainted : —
References to Inscribed Stones in Cairns on Sliabh na Caillighe.
Journal U.S. A. I., 5th Series, vol. v., pt. 3, pp. 305-316; vol. vi.,
pt. 1, pp. 53-59; pt. 3, p. 257 ; vol. vii., pt. 1, pp. 34, 38, 50; pt. 4,
p. 427 ; vol. viii. pt. 2, pp. 171, 172.
Transactions R.I. A., vol. xxxi., Part II.
Proceedings S. A. Scotland, pp. 294-340, vol. iii., 3rd Series.
"Pagan Ireland," by Col. Wood-Martin, p. 45.
"Discovery of the Tomb of Ollamh Fodhla," by E. A. Conwell.
E. Crofton Rotheeam.
1 Length, 1 ft. 3 in.
2 4 ft. 3 in. high.
262 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
" Chief Rent" a Rose.— .Such "floral tributes" as Mr. Christie
mentions, were (like the "pepper-corn rent") not uncommon in Tudor
and Stuart times. A good example, in the neighbourhood of Limerick,
is given by Mr. Lenihan in the "History and Antiquities" of that
city.
Dr. Thomas Arthur, in the reign of Charles I., mentions a lease of
Cratloe at the rent of a red rose. — T. J. W.
Suidhe Mochuda Ogam Inscription. — This ancient site, still well
known in the locality as Suidhe Mochuda, or the seat of Carthach, or
Carthage, consists now of a standing-stone to the south-east of which
is a small enclosure of stones, 8 feet long by 6 feet broad, on an
eminence rising above the Araglen river, which divides the counties of
Waterford and Tipperary. It is situate in the parish of Lismore, and
county of Waterford, and the name of the townland is marked on
the Ordnance Survey Map as Seemochuda. It has recently been
conjectured that the markings on the stone are Ogam inscriptions, and
recent investigations have verified this surmise. The standing- stone
was not known to bear an inscription of any kind until seen on the
8th of May this year, by the Eev. Patrick Power, Diocesan Inspector of
Schools, Waterford. After holding an examination in Upper Ballysag-
gartmore National School, he paid a visit to Suidhe Ifochuda, attracted
by the name, and in hopes of finding some memorial of St. Mochuda. On
coming close to the standing- stone, he at once perceived that it bore an
Ogam inscription, and he deciphered most of the inscription. He
arranged to meet the Rev. Edmond Barry, p.p., Vice-President, at the
stone, on the 11th, and again on the 14th, of that month, but though
each was there on both days, on neither day did they meet. Father
Power's account of his discovery is announced to appear in the next
number of the " Journal " of the Waterford and South-east of Ireland
Archaeological Society.
The stone was also visited by Professor Rhys and Mr. Cochrane,
who took rubbings and photographs, and a Paper by the Professor,
on the subject, is held over until next issue, in order to permit of
Father Power having the advantage of priority of publication, to which
he is by courtesy entitled.
( 263 )
&otke& of 3$oofe«s.
[Note. — The works marked thus (*) are by Members of the Society. ]
^History of Enniscorthy . By William H. Grattan Flood. (Enniscorthy,
1898.) 223 pages. Price 3s. 6d.
We gladly welcome this addition to our Irish local histories. The author's
object was to provide a convenient historical handbook setting forth the
facts chronologically and impartially. In this he has been on the whole
successful. He has shown that Enniscorthy has a history, and that
apart from the tragic events of '98, with which it is so closely identified,
and his chapters on Enniscorthy in ancient, mediaeval, Elizabethan, and
Puritan times well repay perusal. Particularly interesting is the
extract which he gives from Sir William Brereton's diary. Sir William
visited Enniscorthy in the summer of 1634, a summer such as we have
just had, of intense heat. A cousin of his was then agent to Sir Henry
Wallop, an ancestor of the Earl of Portsmouth, the present lord of the
soil, and after he had "bestowed wine" on the worthy knight, he
introduced him to the judges who were " riding " the circuit, and to
several of the lqcal celebrities. Brereton was much struck by the
handsome dress of the upper classes ; and draws attention to the advan-
tages of the Wexford route from England, by narrating how Sir Adam
Colclough had dined at Milford, and supped in Enniscorthy on the same
day — a marvellously expeditious journey in those times. The history
contains a valuable account of the Roman Catholic Church in the
diocese of Eerns, and also notices of the other churches and sects. The
want of an Index will, we hope, be supplied in the next edition.
* Maces, Swords, and other Insignia of Office of Irish Corporations, Sfc.
By John Bibton Grarstin, m.a., v. -p. r.i.a., f.s.a. (Dublin : Published
by the Arts and Crafts Society, 1898.) 66 pages ; royal 8vo ; illus-
trated. Price Is.
This work is reprinted, with additions and corrections, from the
" Journal of the Arts and Crafts Society of Ireland," and the objects
described are chiefly those which were on view at the Exhibition of
that Society in Dublin, 1896. Of the Maces described and illustrated,
the following is a list : — Dublin, Athy, Belfast, Callan, Carrickfergus,
Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Londonderry, Limerick, Wexford ; also those
of the Royal Irish Academy, the College of Physicians, and the College
of Surgeons.
Of the Maces not shown at the Exhibition, two in Dublin Castle,
and one belonging to Trinity College, Dublin, are illustrated ; and the
Maces of the Irish House of Commons, of the Lord Chancellor of Ireland,
264
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
and of the Corporations of Drogheda, Armagh, Carlow, Portarlington,
Castlemartyr, and Hillsborough, are described, but not illustrated.
An elaborate description is given of the " Sword of Estate" at
Dublin Castle, the delivery of which to the Lord Lieutenant constitutes
him Chief Governor, and two photo-zincographic illustrations present it
to the reader. The splendid Sword of Dublin city is shown, and the
very ancient one of Limerick. The " Ferara " of Derry, and the hand-
some Sword of Kilkenny, with others of almost equal interest, historic-
ally and artistically, are illustrated and described. The comparatively
modern Oar of the Dublin Admiralty Court is figured, and its history
given. The Mayoral Chain of Belfast is represented ; and the extra-
ordinary Chain of Limerick's Mayor, with its historical series of links,
is described.
The descriptions are accurately given, and the details and charac-
teristic nature of the ornament of each type, with the makers' marks,
where such exist, are carefully noted. The incidental references to the
date letters of the Irish hall marks afford many contributions to the
recovery of their meaning, which has yet to be cleared up, and as to the
elucidation of which — obscured by "Chaffers" — Mr. Garstin has long
been engaged in collecting materials. The illustrations are well
executed by Mr. Milford Lewis of Dublin, and what is of equal
importance, the plates are well printed; indeed, the " get-up " of the
work is highly creditable to the Arts and Crafts Society, and to the
University Press.
An account of the Cork Corporation Mace is given in the Journal
of our own Society for the year 1886, p. 344, and for 1890, p. 300.
The Kilkenny Mace is described and illustrated in the volume for 1870,
pp. 280-305. The Londonderry Mace is similarly described and illustrated
in the volume for 1863, p. 386 ; and an illustration and description of
the Mace of Castlemartyr will be found at p. 302 of the volume for
1890. The Mace of the Cork Guilds is illustrated and described at
pp. 341-361 of the volume for 1886 ; and a description of the Drogheda
Mace will be found at p. 100 of the volume for 1897. With these
exceptions, our Irish Civic Insignia have scarcely been noticed in print
until the book under review was published.
In the introductory chapter, Mr. Garstin traces the evolution of the
mace from the mediaeval club, until it ceased to be of the form of
a weapon, and developed into a simple emblem of authority, with
eventually the Royal or State arms embossed or surmounted thereon, as
indicative of the regal authority under which the charter of incorpora-
tion was held.
As this work seems to be difficult to obtain, it is hoped a new
edition will be issued. It is most interesting and instructive, and the
author is to be congratulated on the workmanlike manner in which he
has handled the material at his disposal.
NOTICES OF BOOKS.
265
* Descriptive Catalogue of a Collection of Manuscripts formerly belonging
to, and mainly the handiwork of "William Reeves, d.d., p. r.i.a., Lord
Bishop of Down and Connor and Dromore> now in the Diocesan Library r,
Belfast. Compiled by John Ribton Garstin, b.d., f.s.a., v.-p. r.i.a.
Privately printed. (Belfast, 1899.) 8vo.
This is a neatly got up and carefully compiled pamphlet of 15 pages,
comprising the particulars of twenty-nine manuscripts, all of which are
now deposited in the Diocesan Library in Belfast. Mr. Garstin, in a
prefatory note, says the late Bishop Reeves left a large collection of
manuscripts, chiefly of his own compiling and writing, which were,
after his death, divided roughly into three collections, the largest of
which was acquired for Trinity College, Dublin, and a small collec-
tion, relating chiefly to Armagh, was bought for the Public Library
there ; the third collection, consisting of the twenty-nine items above
referred to, found its way to the Diocesan Registry, Belfast, of which
collection the brochure under notice forms a catalogue.
In addition to the work of classification, the compiler prepared an
elaborate summary of the contents of different parcels, which is of the
greatest value to the local historian, and students of the affairs of the
united dioceses. Many of the documents were prepared for publication,
but Reeves's inveterate habit of not allowing anything to go to press
until thoroughly revised, and subjected to the most minute examina-
tion, so exacting was his taste and scholarship — prevented them being
published.
Item No. 12 contains fifteen manuscript papers on Diocesan History
and Antiquities, read before the Down, Connor, and Dromore Church
Architecture Society, and the Harris Society, 1842-1846, only a few of
which have been published ; and, no doubt, an opportunity will arise of
giving the remainder of these papers to the public, as well as some of
the more important of the other items.
Mr. Garstin deserves the thanks of all for his promptness in acced-
ing to the request made to him to undertake this work, and for the
painstaking care and ability displayed by him in its execution.
These manuscripts will find an appropriate resting-place along with
the books presented to the diocese by Principal Reichel. The collection
was secured mainly owing to the intervention of the late Lavens Ewart,
v.-p. r.s.a.i., and the dioceses are indebted to his family for carrying out
his wish that this Catalogue should be printed.
Though most of the items relate to the counties of Antrim and
Down (comprising the dioceses of Bishop Reeves), several are of general
interest to students of Irish topography and family history.
• [Mr. Garstin authorizes us to state that he will be happy to supply
copies {gratis) to members on application to him.]
266 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
SCOTTISH ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOUR or the ROYAL SOCIETY
OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND in conjunction with the
CAMBRIAN ARCH^IOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.
(Continued from page 218.)
SECTION IV.
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1899.
THE ELANNAN ISLES, OR 11 SEVEN HUNTERS."
A landing was successfully effected on the largest of these islands, the
weather having proved favourable ; a heavy swell comes in from the
Atlantic, and, to ensure a safe landing, it is necessary that the
weather should have been fine for a considerable time previous.
Eilean Mor is the
largest of this group,
and south-east of it
lies Eilean Tighe,
the next in extent ;
Soraidh lies to the
extreme south ; and
two miles to the
west, there is the is-
land rock called Ro-
dhoreim ; in addition
to these there are
about a score of rocky
islets at various dis-
tances around, which
prevent the steamer
getting close to the
landing-place.
Eilean Mor is half a mile in length, and about a quarter of a mile in
breadth at its widest part. It rises abruptly from the sea, and attains a
height of nearly 300 feet, where it is comparatively level, and affords
some grazing for sheep. On this island is a primitive oratory dedicated
to Flannan, an Irish saint,1 the following description of which is taken
from Martin's "Western Islands of Scotland," a.d. 1703: —
" The biggest of these islands is called Island More ; it has the ruins of a Chappel
St. Flannan's Chapel, Eilean Mor. (From Muir's
" Ecclesiological Notes.")
1 The Flannan Isles derive their name from an Irish bishop, St. Flannan, son of
PEOCEEDINGS.
267
dedicated to St. Flannan, from whom the island derives its name ; when they come
within about twenty paces of the Altar, they all strip themselves of their upper garments
at once, and their upper clothes being laid upon a stone, which stands there on purpose
for that use, all the crew pray three times before they begin Fowling ; the first day
they say the first Prayer advancing towards the Chappel upon their knees ; the second
prayer is said as they go round the Chappel ; the third is said hardly or at the Chappel
and this is their Morning Service. Their Vespers are performed with the like number of
Prayers. Another Pule is, That it is absolutely unlawful to kill a Fowl with a Ston
for that they reckon a great Barbarity, and directly contrary to ancient Custom."
Through the courtesy of Mr. David Douglas, publisher of Muir's
' ' Ecclesiological Notes," au illustration of the little edifice is here re-
produced, and from the same work the following descriptive extracts
are taken. (For more recent illustrations, see pp. 328, 329, and 342) : —
"Externally the chapel of St. Flannan's is a low quadrilateral building of
uncemented stones, with slightly sloping walls and a stone barrel- vaulted roof rising
from its spring to a height somewhat higher than the height of the supporting walls.
Outside the measurements are : — Length of north side, 11 feet 11 inches; length of
south side, 12 feet 2 inches ; width of east end, 10 feet 3 inches ; width of west end,
9 feet 2 inches ; height 8 feet 10 inches.
"Within the dimensions are: — Length, 7 feet 3 inches ; width, 4 feet 5 inches ;
height from floor
to roof, which is
formed of narrow
slabs laid across,
5 feet 9 inches.
Singularly
enough, the only
aperture in the
£ building is a door-
way, 3 feet in
height and 1 foot
10 inches in width,
in the west end.
Both outside and
Ground-plan of one of the Buildings on Eilean Mor, called the within, the ma-
Bothies of Macphaill's Sons. sonry is very rude,
the stones being of all sizes and shapes, in greater part closely united, but in the joint-
ings no lime has been used. The other buildings, two in number, called by Iain
Mac Donald JBothien Clann Igphail (Bothies of Macphaill's sons or kinsmen), are
situated near to the edge of a high precipice at the west end of the island, the larger
one is a low narrow erection, internally about 30 feet in length. It stands east and
Theodoric (Torlough), King of Thomond, and a lineal ancestor of King Brian.
Flannan seems to have been born near Killaloe, and sent to St. Blathmet for his earlier
education. Having distinguished himself by his piety and obedience, he returned and
entered the monastery founded by St. Molua at Killaloe, from which that place
derives its name. Being elected bishop by advice of Molua, he seems to have visited
Eome, and been confirmed in his office by the Pope, John (? John IV., 640, or
John VII., 700). We eventually learn that "the same Flannan, zealous in holy
labours, disseminated the words of the Holy Gospel in the maritime islands of
Scotland." His friend Molua is described as " reverenced among the greatest
prelates of Ireland, or saints of Scotland, and more especially in the Orkneys.'' So
Flannan evidently followed the footsteps of his venerable preceptor. (See Bishop
Reeves's "Adamnan," p. 227.)
JOUR. R. S.A.I. , VOL. IX., PT. III., OTH SEB. U
268 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
west and consists of tw o apartments, the east one a square of nearly 8 feet, the west
an irregular oval, 5 feet by 4 feet 6 inches (see plan). A very low and narrow passage
5 feet in length, connects the one with the other, and there is another passage of like
kind, 8 feet in length, leading into the larger apartment from the east end. Both
passages are roofed wilh large slabs laid across, the chambers capped by a beehive kind
of dome, with a small circular hole in the crown, 6 feet 10 inches from the floor."
Callernish Stone Ciecle.
Callernish is a small township near the head of East Loch Roag, on the
north-west coast of the island of Lewis. There are four stone circles in
the district round the head of the loch. Of these the largest, which is
also in some respects the most remarkable of all known stone circles, is
situated close to the township, and less than half a mile from the shore,
where there is an inn much frequented in the season by sportsmen. The
circle consists of twelve stones, arranged round a central stone which
is 1 7 feet high, and feet broad at the base. The other stones do not
exceed from 10 to 13 feet in height, some being even less, but the special
peculiarity of their arrangement consists in a double line, or avenue, of
20 ill «» 88
Bird's-eye View of Callernish Circle and Avenue.
standing stones leading up to the circle from the north, and three lines
of stones projecting from it to east, west and south, so that the ground-
plan shows a rough resemblance to the form of an Irish cross, with a
circle connecting the shaft, arms and summit. The circle is about 40 feet
in diameter, the lines of the avenue leading up to it are 27 feet apart,
and consist of nine and ten stones respectively, the whole length of the
avenue being about 270 feet. The number of stones in the lines stretch-
ing to east and west of the circle is four, and in that to the south, five.
The total length of the stone- setting from north to south is 408 feet, and
the width across the arms from east to west 130 feet. The stones are
securely sunk into the boulder-clay; and until 1857, there was an
accumulated growth of peat over the site, fully feet in thickness.
"When this was removed by Sir James Mattheson, there was discovered,
between the central stone and the eastern side of the circle, the lower
PROCEEDINGS.
269
part, of a circular chambered cairn 20 feet in diameter. The passage,
which was 2 feet wide, opened in the east side of the cairn, between two
of the stones of the circle, and led to a central chamber consisting of two
compartments, the larger 6 feet 9 inches, by 4 feet 3 inches, and the
smaller opening out of it to the back 4 feet 4 inches by 2 feet 7 inches.
As usual, the floor of the chamber presented evidences of cremated
burials.
Callernish Circle.
The other circles, which are all much smaller, and of the ordinary
type, are situated further towards the head of the loch on the north-east
side. In one of them, about a mile distant from the cross-shaped circle, and
from which about 7 feet of peat were removed, a small cairn, and four
small stone cists were exposed within the enclosed area. The cists were
paved with rounded water-worn pebbles, and are said to have contained
•charcoal, but the contents were not carefully examined.
U 2
270 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Dun Carloway.
The Broch on the west coast of Lewis, known as Dun Carloway, is
situated near the head of Loch Carloway, an inlet branching off from
East Loch Eoag on its northern side. It stands on the spur of a hill
called Beinn-na-duine, rather more than half a mile inland from the
southern shore of the loch, and about the same distance from the shore
of Loch R,oag. Although like the largest of the Glenelg Brochs, nearly
one-half of the structure is gone, it is still one of the best preserved
examples in Scotland. On the south side it is about 34 feet high, and
viewed in this aspect it seems almost entire. It is of the usual Broch
type, but with some variations, being a circular tower of dry built
Broch of Dun Carloway, Lewis, East Side.
masonry, with a wall 12^ feet thick, and having no opening to the
exterior except the doorway on the north-east side on the level of the
ground, which goes straight through the wall, giving access to the
enclosed circular area or court, about 25 feet in diameter. On the other side
of the court an inner doorway gives access to the stair constructed in
the thickness of the wall, by which the galleries are reached, the wall
above the ground floor being carried up with, a hollow space in its thick-
ness, which is crossed at about every six feet of height by horizontal
tiers of slabs, which serve the double purpose of tying the outer and
inner shells of the tower-wall together, and of forming floors and roofs for
the galleries, which go completely round the building in the interior of the
PROCEEDINGS.
271
wall, and are lighted by ranges of window-openings looking into the
interior court. Five of these galleries still remain in the side of the tower
which is least dilapidated. The inner face of the tower-wall, looking
into the court, is perpendicular, the exterior shows a batter of one foot
in five. The doorway is five feet high and three feet wide, crowned with
a massive lintel, and having checks for a door about three feet within
the entrance ; and beyond them on the right side is the opening to a
guard chamber, from which again there is an opening to the basement
gallery, which is roofed by overlapping stones and not by flags, as in the
Broch of Dun Carloway, Lewis, West Side.
case of the superior galleries. The higher galleries are so narrow and
incommodious that Captain Thomas thought they were merely galleries
of construction, intended not for accommodation, but simply to lighten
the weight of the superior mass of the wall. By an ingenious calculation
he estimated that allowing the basement for cattle, the interior would
afford accommodation for sixty people, and if that number had been
employed in its construction, they could have built it easily in seven
months.
272 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
SECTION Y.
Part I.
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1899.
NORTH RON A.
Leaving the narrow and picturesque Loch CarJoway, with its bold
steep slopes, and sailing in a north-easterly direction, the wild and
beautiful outlines of the western coast of Lewis are seen to advantage
for some distance, where the whole force of the Atlantic breaks on the
rugged shores. It takes four hours' steaming to reach North Rona, an
island so far north that its position is not to be found on the ordinary
maps of Scotland. It may, however, be fixed on any map, by making it
the apex of an equilateral triangle, whose base of forty miles is a line
drawn from the Butt of Lewis to Cape Wrath. North Hona is accessible
from three places ; but, owing to the long swell from the Atlantic,
landing is attended with great difficulty.
This island was visited by the late Mr. T. S. Muir in 1857 and 1860,
an account of which is given in his valuable work, " Ecclesiological
Notes on some of the Islands of Scotland," published, in 1885, by
Mr. David Douglas of Edinburgh, through whose kindness the two illus-
trations of Temple Rona are here given, as well as extracts from the
work, one of which is a quotation from an account given by Sir George
Mackenzie to Sir Robert Sibbald, about the end of the seventeenth
century, as follows : —
"The island of Rona hath for many generations heen inhabited by five families,
which seldom exceeded 30 souls in all ; they have a kind of commonwealth among
them, in so far, if any of them have more children than another, he that hath fewer
taketh from the other what makes his number equal, and the excrescence above 30 souls
is sent with the summer boat to the Lewes to the Earl of Seaforth, their master, to
whom they pay yearly some quantity of meal, stitched up in sheep's skins, and feathers
of sea-fowls. They have no feuel for fire upon the island, but by the special providence
of God, the sea yearly casts in so much timber as serves them. Their sheep there have
wool, but of a blewish colour.
" There is a chappel in the midst of the isle, where they meet twice or thrice a day.
One of the families is hereditary Beddall, and the master of that stands at the altar
and prayeth, and the rest kneel upon their knees and join with him. Their religion
is the Romish religion. There is always one who is chief, and commands the rest, and
they are so well satisfied with their condition that they exceedingly bewail the condi-
tion of those, as supernumerary, they must send out of this island."
Martin, in the " Western Islands of Scotland," a.d. 1703, gives a
PROCEEDINGS.
273
curious account of the primitive inhabitants and of their extreme hospi-
tality to strangers and peculiar method of salutation : —
" One of the Natives would needs express high esteem for my Person by making'a
turn round about me Sun-ways, and at the same time blessing me, and wishing me all
happiness. . . . They conducted me to the Little Village, where they dwell, and in
the way thither there were three Inclosures ; and as I entered each of these, the In-
habitants severally saluted me, taking me by the Hand, and saying, Traveller, you are
welcome here. . . .
" About fourteen years ago
a swarm of Rats, but none
knows how, came into Rona,
and in a short time eat up all
the corn in the Island. In a
few months after some Seamen
landed there, who robbed the
poor people of their Bull. These
misfortunes and the want of a
supply from Lewis for the space
of a year occasioned the death
of all that Ancient Race of
People.*'
The island is rented
by a farmer for grazing
sheep ; it is only half a
mile in length, and at its
greatest height is 360 feet
above the level of the sea ;
on the western side are
cliffs about 90 feet high ;
the eastern shore slopes
downwards to the sea.
There is a rock called
Gouldig Mhor, about half
a mile south of the south-
east point of the island,
and between that and the
island another called Goul-
dig Beag. There is a small
rock, seen only at low water,
near the south-west point,
which is dangerous to navi-
gation.
The best landing place Teampull Rona.
is Poul Houtham on the
south, also Geodh Sthu on the east, and the most favourable winds are
for the former a northerly or easterly, and for the latter a southerly or
westerly wind.
274 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
The last human inhabitant of the island was Donald Macleod, King
of Bona, who left it in 1846.
Mr. Muir's description of the chapel of St. Konan is as follows : —
" Of this rude and diminutive building not much can he said. On the outside it is
most part a rounded heap of loose stones, roofed over with turf. Within you find it
a roughly -built cell 9 feet 3 inches in height, and at the floor 11 feet 6 inches long
and 7 feet 6 inches wide. The end wall leans inwardly a little, the side one so
greatly that, where they meet the flat slab-formed roof they are scarcely 2 feet apart,
lieyond the singularity of its shape there is nothing remarkable in the building, its
Teampull Rona. West-end interior elevation of smaller Cell.
only minute features being a square doorway in the west end, so low that you have to
creep through it on your elbows and knees ; a flat-headed window, without splay on
either side, 19 inches long and 8 inches wide, set over the doorway ; another window
of like form and length, but an inch or two wider near the east end of the south wall ;
and the altar-stone, 3 feet in length, lying close to the east end.
"Attached as a nave to the west end of the cell, and externally coextensive with
it in breadth, are the remains of another chapel, internally 14 feet 8 inches in length,
and 8 feet 3 inches in width. Except the north one, which is considerably broken down,
all the elevations are nearly entire, the west one retaining a part of tbe gable.
PROCEEDINGS.
275
" A rude flat-headed doorway, 3 feet 5 inches in height, and 2 feet 3 inches wide,
in the south wall, and a small window of the same shape, eastward of it, are the only
details.
"At what time either these buildings were put up it is impossible to say. Both are
alike rude in their masonry, and between them there is scarcely a difference in the cha-
racter of their few inartistic details ; but be the age of the larger one what it may, the
cell, which may be termed the chancel of the structure at large, is certainly by many
hundred years the older erection and in all probability the work of the eighth or ninth
century.
" In the burying-ground, Avhich is fenced by a low wall, with a doorway in the
south-west, there are several truncated plain stone crosses, the tallest one only 2 feet
6 inches in height. At the intersection of the curves it is pierced with a triangular
group of three small round holes, touching which, as
also the pillar itself, there is a variously-told tradition
among those of the Butt. Of St. Bonan, too, and
of the teampull he raised in the midst of his solitary
retreat, a deal of legendary story is still afloat among
the 'idle-headed eld' at the north end of Lewis."
The tradition is that Ronan, who was a
God-fearing man, was so grieved with the
scolding arid quarrelsome women of Eor-
rapidh, where he lived, that he prayed to be
taken to some place where he could not hear
them. His prayer was answered, and a large
whale appeared, on whose back he was trans-
ported across the waters and landed at Sr6n
an Teinntein (the fireplace point) in Rona.
The saint, after driving out some wild animals
which inhabited the island, built the east end
of the present teampull.
Another and a much later church, called
Teampull na Ifanach, was erected " outside
the graveyard, and about fifteen yards from the east end of the present
teampull, with an altar in the middle, 4 feet square by 3 feet high, and
having a round gray stone on the top." This altar and. a part of the
wall of the church are said to have been standing early in the present
century. Further illustrations of the ruins on North Rona, as they now
exist, are given at page 336.
Ml**
Cross at west end of Teampull
Rona.
North Barra, or Sula Sgeir.
About twelve miles to the south-west of North Rona is Sula Sgeir,
a high rocky island, with precipitous sides about one-third of a mile in
length ; at the east side of the southern point is a stone-roofed oratory,
called Tigh Bennaichte (Blessed House), measuring internally about
276 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
14 feet long, 8 feet wide at the middle, and 6 feet 4 inches at the ends.
The walls rise with a curve towards each other, and are roofed with
stones laid horizontally. The doorway is in the south-west end, and
has inclined jambs and flat head. It measures 3 feet 5 inches high,
16 inches wide at top, and 22 inches at bottom. There is a small window
in the east end and an altar stone, 2 feet 8 inches long, on a raised base.
The possibility of landing on this island was so uncertain, that it was
not attempted.
PROCEEDINGS.
277
SECTION V.
Paet II.
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1899.
MAESHOWE AND STENNIS, OEINEY.
Oekney is peculiarly rich in prehistoric remains — chambered cairns,
stone circles, cist burials, and Brochs. Captain Thomas estimated that
there might be in the Islands about 2000 tumuli, chiefly containing
cist-burials, and Mr. Petrie has enumerated about 70 Brochs. Of the
chambered mounds Maeshowe is the most interesting, and the two
stone circles at Stennis are by far the most remarkable in Scotland.
Maeshowe, which is situated near the farmhouse of Turmiston,
about six miles from Stromness on the road by Firth to Kirkwall, was
explored by Mr. Farrer in 1861. In external form it is a truncated
conical mound, 90 feet in diameter at the base, and over 30 feet in
height. At a distance of between 80 and 90 feet from the base of the
mound it is surrounded by a circular trench, between 30 and 40 feet in
width and from 4 to 8 feet in depth. The entrance passage to the
chamber in the interior of the mound opens on the south-west, and is
54 feet in length, with checks for a door about halfway inwards, and
another pair of checks, consisting of slabs set on end, near the entrance
into the chamber. The chamber, which is well built, is nearly a square
of 15 feet on the floor, and about 13 feet of the height remains. Above
the height of 6 feet the coved roof commences, the coving being effected
by each successive course of the long flat stones projecting several
inches beyond the course on which it rests. At the height of about
3 feet above the floor are the openings of three small cells occupying the
centre of each side of the chamber, except the side by which the passage
enters. No relics were found in the course of the excavation to give a
clue to the purpose of the mound, although there can be little doubt
that, like other great chambered-mounds, it was sepulchral. But on the
walls there had been scratched a number of inscriptions in runes of the
later Viking time, one of which records that " the Orkhaug was broken
278 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
open by the Jerusalem -farers in the time of the blessed Earl," which
probably refers to the pilgrimage of Earl Eognvald and his followers to
the Holy Land in 1153. Altogether there are 24 separate inscriptions.
They arc mostly mere idle scribblings, such as 11 Thatir the Viking
came here to weary," " Hermund Hardaxe carved these Runes," &c, and
Maeshowe. Ground-plan and section of Mound and Ditch.
some of them may owe their origin to the circumstance recorded in the
" Orkneyinga Saga " (Edinburgh, 1873, p. 159) that Earl Harold with a
hundred men spent a Yule Day at Orkahaug.
The Stone Ciecles of Stejstnis are about a mile or more to the
westward of Maeshowe, and are reached by the road to Skaill which
Maeshowe. Ground-plan of Chamber and Passage.
280 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
branches off the road from Stronmess to Kirkwall. The larger circle
stands on a moor sloping to the Loch of Stennis, within a circular trench
30 feet wide, enclosing an area of about 1\ acres. The diameter of the
enclosed area is 366 feet, and the ring of pillar-stones stands about 13
feet within the trench on a circle 340 feet in diameter. The original
number of stones appears to have been 60, placed about 17 feet apart.
Only, 13 are now standing, 10 others are prostrate, and the stumps or
fragments of 13 more are recognisable.
The smaller circle stands on a tongue of land projecting into the loch
at the Bridge of Brogar, rather more than half-a-mile from the larger
circle. It also stood on a platform 104 feet in diameter, surrounded by
a wide ditch or hollow, with a slight mound round it on the outer side.
Only two stones of the original circle remain standing and one prostrate.
Three others were destroyed by the tenant of the farm in 1814 along
with the " Stone of Odin," a monolith with a hole through it, which
stood about 150 yards to the north of the circle, and was much used by
the young people who grasped hands through the hole as a solemn
plighting of troth.
To the north-west is a great solitary standing stone near the
Bridge.
Not far distant from the larger circle is the Ring of Bukan, and
several tumuli are visible, most of which have been opened and de-
stroyed.
In the Museum of the Natural History Society at Stronmess, and in
the private museum of Mr. James Cursitor, f.s.a. (Scot.), Kirkwall, are
interesting collections illustrating the Natural History, Geology, and
Archaeology of the Orkneys.
Ring of Stennis, from the Westward.
of Brogar— -Large Circle of Stennis— from the South- rest.
View of Cromlech, Stennis, from the Northward.
282 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
The following brief description of the main Archaeological features
of Stromness, Stenuis, Maeshowe, and Kirkwall has been communi-
cated by Mr. James Cursitor, f.s.a. (Scot.) : —
In this short Paper I am compelled, by the circumstances of the case, to restrict
the matter to the remains of antiquity on the line of march laid down in the
programme of the Excursion. Stromness, the beautifully situated town where the
landing in Orkney is to be made, is a modern place, and boasts of no remains of
antiquity in its immediate vicinity. It possesses a small museum, but with the
exception of the geological department, it offers little of interest to the visitor, and is
poor in objects of antiquity or local interest.
Stromness is built on the junction of the granite, schists, and conglomerate Old Red
Sandstone formations, good sections of which are frequently exposed in the course of
quarrying, while some of the fisb remains found in the neighbourhood are possibly
the lowest in the palteontological scale ever discovered. About two miles from the
town, when driving to Stenuis, on the right-hand side of the road, the visitor will get
his first sight of two standing- stones (standing-stones are scattered over the group of
islands), and the two now referred to are, doubtless, outlines of the system of Brogar,
which may be discerned across the loch, of Stennis, about three miles off. At the
Farm of Howe, on the ground of which these two stones are situated, are the remains
of a Broch, which has not yet been explored. The word hoive, in Orkney, has not the
Scottish meaning of a hollow, but that of an eminence, and is a very common place-
name in Orkney, and, I think, in almost every instance, the farm so named, has a
Broch on its land.
On reaching the Bay of Waithe there will be observed, on a point of land pro-
jecting into the loch, about 400 yards away, the remains of an ancient chambered
burial-mound, called Unstan, doubtless, as the name implies, at one time the site of a
standing-stone. The mound was opened a few years ago, and was found to contain
a chamber, north and south, feet long, by feet wide, divided into five or six
compartments by large stones placed on edge, having another small chamber off it,
about the middle, on the west side, the entrance to the large chamber being on the
east side, and a little to the south end of the middle. The relics discovered at'the
opening consisted of flint arrow-heads, knives, and a scraper, pottery of several clay
vessels, richly ornamented with incised lines of triangular pattern, and a considerable
quantity of bones of man and beast. There are a few other burial-mounds of this
variety in the county, notably one on the island of Papa Westra, and another,
discovered last year by General Burroughs, near his house of Wumbland, in the
island of Rowsa.
About one mile further along the road, on the right, and almost opposite the
Stennis Hotel, there is a glacial moraine, in which was discovered, about four years
ago, a single-chamber burial-place, constructed of heavy stones, and having a drain-
like entrance.
Another mile further along the road you turn off north-west to the left, towards
the stones of Stennis and Brogar. The former, Stennis, or "Ness of the Stones," is
the first to be arrived at, and two upright monoliths, with one prostrate, are all that
remain of the once standing-stones of which the group consisted. The circular
space can yet be easily traced, and in its area is a broken dolmen, but whether this
circular space was surrounded by upright stones, or only partially, is as yet an open
question. The space is 104 feet in diameter at the stones, and the highest stone
about 18 feet above ground. Near this stood the famous Stone of Odin, although its
distance is variously stated at from 70 to 150 yards in a northerly direction.
At the near end of the Bridge of Brogar, on the left-hand side, stands a
solitary stone, about 20 feet high, called the Watch Stone. Crossing the bridge,
Part of Brocar Circle, Stennis, Orkney.
(From a Photograph by Mr T, Kent, Kirkwall.)
Inscriptions in Runes, aucl in Tree-Runes, in the interior wall of the Chamber
in Maeshowe, Orkney.
Maeshowe. Dragon carved on interior wall — Full size. (From a Rubbing.)
r5 zo Mifes
20 Allows of*.
N*.KRorLaldsi
S a xl da.
"WarNessV L^cXi\^mi Bay
LambE*
ST RONS A F1UTH
CarrvofB^y
OldMfuh
DunuetH*
PENTLAND FlIiTEL
/\Stroma I
L. fib— FentLaJuL Sk&rric>*
■Lotha- Skerr\
^ ' Lit-Slasrry
MAP OF ORKNEY.
286
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OP IRELAND.
the road passes through a mound at its north end, which has yielded several good
relics of antiquity, and a few yards further on there are three standing -stones on a
slight rising ground.
The farm of Brodgar, from which the circle takes its name (Brodgeiri = a spear-
shaped piece of land, from the shape of the point of land), is next passed, where a fine
panoramic view of the large circle is obtained, and a very few minutes suffices to reach
it. At a little distance from the large circle, in different directions, may he observed
several bulky mounds of earth, and from their irregulai'ity in disposition, shape, and
size, they probably never formed part of the scheme of the remains of the stones, but
were simply heaps of the earth removed in the course of excavating the trench
surrounding the circle. These mounds, however, have yielded steatite urns, contain-
ing burnt bones, attributable to the last period of Norse paganism. The circle itself
is the largest of its sort in Great Britain, measuring within the stones a diameter of
340 feet, to inner edge of ditch, 366 feet, to outer edge, 424 feet ; there are still erect
thirteen stones, and a few prostrate. They are all arranged with the apex of tbe
angle of fracture in one direction. There is a sort of bridge access across the ditch on
the north and south. No burial has ever been discovered within the area.
If the visitor takes up his position in the centre of the area, and looks towards the
Watch-stone, he will detect another stone at a greater distance, in the exact same line,
at a place called Tormiston (probably Thor's Stone). This, of itself, is evidence of a
connexion between the outlying monoliths and this central circle which, with measure-
ments and bearings, has been the subject of a recent astronomical theory of some
merit, which will probably be further followed up to good result.
For a distance to the north-west the district abounds with tumuli and prehistoric
erections, including two circles without stones, and a dolmen. Before leaving the
district, the visitor should note a standing- stone about 140 yards to the east of the
circle, having evidence of being, at one time, surrounded by at least four others,
the stumps of which remain. Re-entering the vehicles, the same ground is gone
over till the main road is reached, a few yards from the junction with which, and on
the left hand, is situated the Stone of Tormiston, and the alignment, previously
referred to, may be observed and verified from this end in passing.
Maeshowe is shortly thereafter reached ; the mound is about 36 feet high, and
92 feet in diameter, and is surrounded, at a distance of forty feet, by an earthen
rampart, about 4 feet high. The entrance to the internal chamber is on the west
side, and is at present 36 feet long. The visitors should note the size of the stones
forming the sides and roof of the passage, which are about 18 feet long, and the
recess near the doorway, probably for receiving the stone, which served for a door.
The central chamber is 14 feet 10 inches, by 15 feet 4 inches, and has three cells off
it at about 2 feet above the floor level, each measuring 4 feet 6 inches, by 5 feet
6 inches, 5 feet 9 inches, and 7 feet, respectively. The characters on the walls chiefly
belong to the Norwegian division of the Scandinavian runes, and to the latest time of
their use, and probably date a.d. 1150. (The inscriptions must not be associated with
the erection or date of the structure, of which, doubtless, the carvers had as little
information as we have to-day.) They are interesting as being the largest collection
in Great Britain. In the left-hand corner, on entering, between the buttress and the
wall, about 4 feet up, is an inscription containing the Runic alphabet, and between
it and the entrance to nearest cell, there is an inscription, the lower portion of which
is an attempt at depicting the vowels in the Limouna, Bough, or Palm form, which was
somewhat after the manner of the Ogham, the branches on one side of the stem-line
indicating the class or division of the alphabet, the branch on the other side indicating
the number of the letter in the class. Another example of these Palm runes is to be
seen in the opposite corner of the chamber at the left side of the cell, at the beginning
of the inscription. But the most interesting bit of carving remaining is the Dragon,
PROCEEDINGS.
287
on the buttress, in the right-hand corner facing the entrance. Before leaving the
chamber take up a position with your back to the inner wall, and face the entrance.
The view through the entrance passage is then very restricted, but careful observation
will enable you to discern, in the distance, the stone of Tormiston, already referred
to ; and an interesting fact, pointed out in the Paper referred to is, that the distance
between this spot and the stone at Tormiston is the same as that from it to the
"Watch -stone.
Kirkwall and its Cathedral.
The run from Stromness to Scapa Bay takes about an hour. Shortly
after rounding Houton Head, and passing the Holm of the same name
will be observed the parish church of Orphir, at the east side of which,
and almost adjoining it, are the remains of a circular church ; nothing
but the semi-circular apse and a fragment of the arc on each side remain.
Kirkwall Cathedral. Ground-plan.
This is the only known church of the kind kQScotland, although there
are five in England. This one was built in the beginning of the twelfth
century. Near it stood the palace of the Earls of Orkney, probably at
the site of the farm house nearest the ruin. In a bay in this vicinity
King Haco arrived in Orkney after his defeat at Largs, and went over-
land to Kirkwall, where he died in the Bishop's Palace.
Erom the anchorage in Scapa Bay may be seen the roofs of the houses
in Kirkwall overtopped by the cathedral. The site chosen for its erection
makes its tower a landmark seen from a longdistance, from Caithness in
the south, and from several of the north Isles of Orkney. In Scapa Bay,
.N.N.W. from the anchorage, there is a distillery with a burn alongside
of it running into the bay. At the mouth of this burn on its west side
288 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
is the Broch of Lingiw, with its numerous secondary buildings. This
Broch yielded many interesting relics which now enrich the National
collection in Edinburgh, some of the pottery being of a pattern not
represented in any other museum in Europe. The walk from Scapa to
Kirkwall is about two miles. In Kirkwall the cathedral claims special
Kirkwall Cathedral. Choir looking east.
interest. It was originally built by Earl Eognvald in 1138, and dedi-
cated to his uncle Earl Magnus, who was slain in Egilsay in 1116, and
afterwards canonized. The building is small, but so beautifully pro-
portioned that it creates in the[ mind a false impression of size. It is
218 feet in length, and measures across aisles and nave 45 feet. Its
PROCEEDINGS.
289
narrowness lends to its appearance of height. It measures 89 feet across
the transepts, and has a triforum and clerestory for its whole length on
each side, as well as round the transepts. There are chapels attached
to the east side of both transepts. The hody of King Haco lay in state
Kirkwall Cathedral. The Crossing and South Transept.
here, and many earls and bishops have been interred within its walls,
but few records of their resting-places are now preserved. The centre
of the building is the oldest, but by some such artifice as re-casing,
secondary work with pointed arches, having round-headed ones above
them, is to be seen as in the arching of the principal piers supporting the
PROCEEDINGS.
291
tower. The choir was lengthened by Bishop Stewart in the beginning
of the sixteenth century by three bays. The probability is that before
that time the choir terminated in a semicircular apse. The junction of
the old and new is well shown in the broad pillars, third from the central
piers, in one of which, on the north side, relics supposed to be those of
St. Magnus are preserved ; a specially driven stone on the east end of
the pillar marks the spot. The three bays on the west end of the nave
were added in the end of the sixteenth century by Bishop Beid, and it
may be that the former west front was re-erected in its present position
Kirkwall Cathedral. Doorway ^in South Transept.
at that time. Very good examples of ornamentation in two colours of
sandstone are to be seen in the doorways ; alternate rings, bands, and
chequers of yellow and red being introduced with good effect. The
vaulting of the three bays at this end was not completed, the present
vaulting being only of lath and plaster.
The remains of St. Bognvald are supposed to be deposited in the south
wall of the choir aisle in the first bay from its junction with the transept
underneath a window. Some of the decorative colouring which doubtless
overspread the interioi may be observed on the groining of the vaulting
292 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
and mouldings of arches at the east end of the south nave aisle. Several
mason's marks are to be found inside, and are more distinctly to he
seen on the base course outside of the south transept.
In the south transept are collected within a railing some sculptured
stones, wood carving, tiles, &c., which have been found in the building,
among which are effigies of St. Magnus, and St. Olaf, the former having
a sword in his hand, the remains of the tomb of Bishop Tulloch, and
armorial bearings of different bishops and earls. Mutilated and
neglected as the cburch is to-day, it is described by "Worsaae as "incon-
testably the most glorious monument of the time of the Norwegian
dominion to be found in Scotland."
Kirkwall Cathedral. View from south-east.
Two large brass alms-dishes were exhibited of very fine workman-
ship, with representations of the Fall. Around the rim of one are the
words, in raised capitals, " had adaji gedaen gods wooet wts soo waer
HI GEBLEVEN INT PAEADYS, ANNO 1636."
To the south of the cathedral stand the ruins of the Earl's Palace
and those of the Bishop's Palace. The former, built in the sixteenth
century by Earl Patrick Stewart, is a fine specimen of the Scotch baronial
architecture of the time, and with its large dimensions, its high pitched
corbelled gables, and projecting bay windows, must have been a very
PROCEEDINGS.
293
imposing structure. It contains a grand staircase, chapel, suites of
rooms, and a large banqueting hall, 55 feet long by over 20 feet in width,
having two fireplaces and four large windows. The larger fireplace
presents the best specimen of the level arch in Scotland, and on the
panels on the coroneted pillars on each side of it are the initials p. e. o.
(Patrick, Earl of Orkney). It was in this house that Montrose last
* slept in a bed before his defeat at Corbiesdale.
The Bishop's Palace, notable as the place where King Haco died, is
in the form of a parallelogram, 112 feet by 27 feet, with a modern round
tower in its N.W. angle. The building has been altered and remodelled
so frequently that little of the original remains. It consisted of three
floors and attics. The tower was bnilt by Bishop Eeid, whose arms and
initials are still to be seen on a panel near the top. About half way up
the wall in a recessed arch stands a figure in a short tunic, having long
hair, but it is not believed to represent that prelate. The tower is five
stories in height. The lower story in the building seems to have been
vaulted throughout. The others have only floors of wood. The tower
is surrounded at the top by a double corbelled projecting cornice, with a
parapet on its outer edge, leaving a pathway around the little square
chamber forming its top story. Opposite the west front of the cathedral
in Broad-street stands the market cross on its base of three steps. It
bears the date 1627, and the remains of the iron staple which held the
branks (or some such instrument) is still imbedded in it. Opposite this
is the town house of the family of Baikie of Tankerness, originally
the residence of some of the dignitaries of the cathedral, viz. the
treasurer, sub-chanter, archdeacon and chancellor. The sculptured stone
over the archway leading into the courtyard bears the date 1574, and a
verse from the 22nd Psalm.
At the other end of Broad-street stood the Castle of Kirkwall, built
by the Saint Clairs of Orkney, in which family the earldom was vested
from 1379 to 1468. An inscription in the wall of the Castle Hotel
records its site, and a few relics of the building are also inserted in the
wall.
The name Kirkwall, from the Norse Kirkiuvagr or Church Bay, is not
derived from the Church of St. Magnus, but from an older structure
which stood in Bridge-street, about a hundred yards from the harbour on
the east side of the street, supposed to have been erected by Kognvald,
Brusi's son, to the memory of King Olaf the Holy, who perished at Stickle-
stad in 1030, and it was to this church that the remains of Earl Magnus
were brought on their arrival at Kirkwall to wait the completion of the
cathedral to receive them.
Egilsay.
Erom the top of the tower of Kirkwall Cathedral a very fine view is
obtained. Several of the North Isles of Orkney are visible, and among
294 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
them almost directly north at a distance of eleven miles, lies the island
of Egilsay, where St. Magnus was murdered by his cousin. The name
of Egilsay is of doubtful derivation, opinion being divided between Egil,
Plan of Church in Egilsay.
a proper name (Egils-isle), and the Celtic Eglais, from the Latin Ecclesia
(church isle). The island is famous as having been the scene of the
tragedy referred to, as well as from the fact that on it there is a very
Church in Egilsay.
ancient church of unique structure. It is highly probable that it was on
account of the presence of the church there that the earl cousins selected
it as a meeting-place to arrange their differences. The church consists
PROCEEDINGS.
295
of nave and chancel with a round tower incorporated at the west end of
the nave, and is the only known instance of such a combination. The
tower in some respects resembles those of Ireland, and contained four
stages, one above the other ; one entrance to the tower seems to have
been over the nave, but under the roof. The tower has a diameter of 7 feet
8 inches internally at the base, is slightly tapering, and about 45 feet
high. The top of it which was removed in 1782 was shaped like a
conical dome, and there was a slight projection running round the tower
below the dome. The roof of the nave seems to have been of wood with
apartments between it and the stone roof of the building, while the
chancel is stone-vaulted with a chamber above. The church is visible
from the tower of the cathedral, and, like the cathedral itself, forms a
landmark visible for a long distance.
296 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
SECTION VI.
MONDAY, JUNE 2 6, 1 8 99.
KEISS, CAITHNESS.
The county of Caithness is remarkably rich in prehistoric remains —
chambered cairns, groups or alignments of standing-stones, cist-burials,
and Brochs, or so-called Pictish towers. Groups of chambered cairns,
both of the long and short form, and horned at both ends, and also
of the round form, in the Yarhouse Hills, and at Garrywhin, near
Bruan, seven miles south of Wick, and at Camster, about fourteen miles
from "Wick, have been investigated and described by the late Mr. A. H.
llhiud {Ulster Journal of Archaeology, 1854, p. 100) and Dr. Joseph
Anderson ("Scotland in Pagan Times, Bronze and Stone Ages," 1886,
pp. 229-267). Alignments, or groups of standing stones arranged in
rows, analogous to those of Carnac in Brittany, but on a smaller scale, at
Yarhouse, Clyth (four hundred stones in twenty-two rows of 50 yards),
and Camster, and an oval (226 feet in length) of thirty-five stones at
Achkinloch, in Latheron, are also described (" Scotland in Pagan
Times," 1886, pp. 126-134). But the Brochs, of which about eighty
have been enumerated in the county (Anderson's "List of the Brochs
in Archaaologia Scotica," vol. v., p. 178), are by far the most numerous
and striking of the Prehistoric remains, and nowhere have so many of
them been excavated as in the district of Keiss.
The village of Keiss lies on the north-west side of the Bay of Keiss,
seven miles north of Wick, and a quarter of a mile north of the village
is Keiss Castle, the manor house of the estate of Keiss, the property of Sir
Francis Tress Barry, Bart., m.p. for Windsor. Of the eight Brochs which
he has excavated within the past ten years, three are situated within a
radius of about a quarter of a mile between the castle and the village ;
one is at the head of the bay, about two miles to the south, and another
PROCEEDINGS.
297
is at "Nybster, nearly the same distance to the north of the castle. The
others being more distant are beyond the reach of the present excur-
sion.
The Keiss Broch, behind the village and close to the seashore, was
dug into by the late Mr. Samuel Laing, m.p., in 1864, and is described
as " the Harbour Mound" in his "Prehistoric llemains of Caithness"
Keiss Broch. Interior, showing entrance to the stair in the thickness of the
wall, and secondary buildings on debris in area.
(From a Photograph by Sir F. T. Barry, Bart.)
(1866), p. 22. But his excavations were merely sufficient' 'to enable
him to conjecture that the building must be classed among the Brochs,
and the whole of the details have since been worked out by Sir Francis
Barry, Bart. The Broch is a dry-built circular tower, having a wall 12 ft.
thick, enclosing an area, or court, 38 feet in diameter and open to the
;sky. The entrance faced the sea, but on that side only the foundations
298 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
remain. The wall on the land side remains to a height of about 12 feet.
To the left of the entrance a doorway in the interior wall gives access
to the stair constructed in the thickness of the wall, which presumably led
up to a series of circular galleries superimposed above each other, with
openings for light looking into the interior court, as may still be seen in
the more entire Brochs of Mousa, Glenelg, and Dun Carloway. There
is a blocked entrance with a guard chamber on the opposite side of the
court. Throughout the interior are remains of secondary constructions,
Keiss Road Broch. Foundation courses of exterior wall of older structure.
(From a Photograph by Sir F. T. Barry,'Bart.)
the foundations of which are placed on the debris at various levels,
showing successive phases of occupation. Out-buildings of various
kinds surround the exterior in a very irregular manner. Among the
objects found have been pieces of rude pottery — several with impressed
chevrony ornamentation — two small pieces of Roman tl Samian ware,"
a small crucible with a portion of melted bronze adhering to the
bottom of the interior ; bone pins and implements of deer-horn, including
a long-handled comb with eight prongs on the toothed end ; a mould, a
PK0CEED1NGS.
299
lamp, and a rudely-shaped cup of sandstone ; several grain rubbers, and
a large stone mortar, similar to those used for husking barley. Among
the food refuse were bones of the common domestic animals and birds,
including the Great Auk, antlers of red deer of great size, and quantities
of the shells of the common edible shellfish of the adjacent coast.
Keiss Road Broch. Interior, showing entrance to stair and rooms in thickness of
wall, and partitions of slahs in area.
(From a Photograph by Sir F. T. Barry, Bart.)
The Broch at the "White Gate is also situated close to the seashore,
about halfway between the Tillage and Keiss Castle. It is of smaller
size, having an internal diameter of 26 feet, and a wall 13 feet thick.
JOnit. K.S.A.T., VOI. IX., PT. III., OTH SF.U. Y
300
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Only about 5 feet of the height remains. The entrance faces the sea,
and is 2 feet 10 inches in width at the outside, widening inwards and
showing two pairs of door-checks formed of slabs set upright edgeways
in the wall, and projecting from 6 to 8 inches. There is no stair. Two
secondary walls cross the interior from front to back, and the entrance
passage is prolonged exteriorly through a cluster of out-buildings, one
of which showed part of its beehive-roofing. Among the objects found
in this Broch, which were of the usual character, the most remarkable
Keiss Road Broch. Interior, showing entrances to Chambers in thickness of wall.
(From a Photograph by Sir F. T. Barry, Bart.)
was a large jar of coarse, unglazed pottery, which when reconstructed
from its fragments measured 17 inches in height by 17^ inches in dia-
meter at the mouth, tapering to 7 inches in diameter at the bottom.
The Road Bkoch, close to the public road from Keiss to John o' Groats,
and less than a quarter of a mile from the two seaside Brochs, is the
largest and most interesting of the three. The main structure, or Broch
proper, has an internal diameter of 34 feet, and a total thickness of wall
of 15 feet 9 inches; but the original wall seems to have been only about
PROCEEDINGS.
301
12 to 13 feet thick, and an exterior facing of from 2 to 3 feet thick has
teen added all round. The entrance faces N.E., and is 2 feet 6 inches
wide, having checks for a door ahout halfway in. On the right side of
the passage is a guardchamher. To the left of the main entrance is the
entrance to a stair in the thickness of the wall, with twelve steps re-
maining, and an oblong chamber 12 feet by 5 feet at the bottom of the
stair. Across the court to the right of the main entrance is another stair
with eleven steps remaining, and at its foot the largest chamber known
to have been found in a Broch, being 30 feet in length and 4 feet in
width. None of the roofing stones remain, but its walls are entire to
the height of 6 feet, and the rounded end is coved by overlapping stones.
The interior court is subdivided by partitions of slabs set on end, and
there is a large underground chamber beneath the floor level. There is
also a small chamber in the wall, to which access is gained from the
court through a square opening cut in a slab forming the front of the
chamber. A unique feature of this Broch is that a circular court about
33 feet in diameter has been added in front of the main entrance, and
partially founded on the exterior wall of the Broch, where it touches it
tangentially. Outbuildings of the usual kind are placed around the ex-
terior walls, and the whole group is surrounded by a massive ..enclosing
wall, irregularly circular, at a distance of 40 to 50 feet outside the wall
of the Broch proper.
Among the articles found in this Broch were several bone pins, one
finely made with an ornamented head, a bone needle, a long-handled
comb, a small bronze ring, a disc of stone, H inches diameter, with
incised markings resembling runes ; whorls, whetstones, a stone lamp,
a stone cup, and several grooved stone weights or sinkers, &c.
Y2
302 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
SECTION VII.
TUESDAY JUNE 27, 1899.
EILEAN M6K.
Eilean" M6r is the largest of a small group of islands in the^Sound of
Jura, south of and directly opposite to the promontory which divides
Loch Swine from the Sound. This island contains the remains of
St. Carmaig's Church and other ruins, also some tombstones with
carving. Kilmorey, in Knapdale, on the mainland, three miles south
of Castle Swine, contains some very interesting ecclesiastical and other
remains, which are close to the shore.
PROCEEDINGS.
303
At the north end of the island the ruins of St. Carmaig's Church
will he found. The building is 37 feet 3 inches long, and 19 feet
11 inches broad, divided into two compartments, forming chancel and
nave.
The chancel has two narrow and deeply-splayed windows in the
eastern gable, and another light in the northern wall. The chancel-
arch has been filled in, leaving only a small, flat-headed doorway, with
Church of St. Carmaig, Eilean M6r. East elevation.
an aperture at one side (see plan of chancel, p. 302). In the southern
side there is an arched recess in the thickness of the wall, containing
the mutilated effigy of an ecclesiastic. The chancel roof is vaulted,
and over the vault is a small chamber with a square-headed aperture on
its west gable : the nave is roofless.
304
ROYAL SOCIETY OE ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
South-east of the church is a small ruined structure, 9 feet 6 inches
in length, known as the tomb of St. Carmaig.
At the west end of the church is a cross about 6 feet in height, fon
the east face of which are some carvings, representing a horseman,? and
a nondescript animal, resembling an elephant ; and on the highest point
of the island is the stump of another sculptured cross.
Church of St. Carmaig, Eilean Mdr. Chancel-arch, from Nave, j
At the south-eastern part of the island there is a small roofless
building, internally 11 feet square, said to be the cell erected by
St. Carmaig when he first landed on the island.
PROCEEDINGS.
305
Gigha. Island.1
The visit to this island was made on the recommendation of Principal
Ehys, -LL.D.,Hon. Fellow, who was anxious to have the reputed Ogam-stone
carefully examined.2 The island is about six miles long by about one
and a-half miles broad, and is four miles distant from the mainland of
the Kintyre coast. Gigha belongs to Mr. "W. J. Yorke Scarlett ; on
St. Catan's Church, Gigha Island. East elevation.
it are some ecclesiastical remains at Kilchattan, near the village of
Ardnimish.
1 See map, page 307.
2 The distance from the landing-place, or pier, at the south-east end of the island
to the stone is about a mile, after passing the north entrance to the mansion-house,
and turning up the first road to the left. Passing the ruins of a chapel, and some
interesting slabs, the path lies straight to the base of the knoll on which the stone
stands. (It is figured in Captain White's 4 ' Archaeological Sketches in Knapdale,"
plate iv.). There are several tumuli and other remains at the northern end of the
island, but there is no proper landing-place or road there.
306 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
A whole day could be well spent on this pleasant and picturesque
island in examining the forts, cromlechs, boulders with cup-and-circle-
markings, crosses, and ecclesiastical remains. Of the latter^ the church
of St. Catan is the most interesting. Internally it measures 33 feet
by 15 feet 2 inches; the east window still remains, indicating a building
of thirteenth-century date. This window is a narrow lancet, 5 feet in
height (see drawing). The remains of a large octagonal font may be
seen at the east end of the church.
St. Catan's, (jiigha. East Window. Cross, Gigha.
There are some sculptured slabs lying about and a broken cross, the
latter measuring about 3 feet in length.
There is another broken cross erect in an old burying-ground near
Tarbert farm, and not far from it is a pillar-stone, 7 feet high.
Still further to the north will be found what T. S. Muir considers
the most interesting spot in Gigha : —
" Conceive scattered over a weird-looking plot so many cyclopean-like cells,
cromlechs, kistvaens, or whatever else or otherwise yon may call them, each
more or less slantingly roofed over with a ponderous slab, and showing in two
or three of them appearances of passages, in all likelihood, to underground
chambers."
There are three hill forts, and some cup-marked sea rocks, north of
Kilchattan, on the west side of the island.
On Cara, a small island south of Gigha, there is a ruined chapel ;
it measures externally 29 feet in length ; the east and west ends
are nearly entire ; there is no opening in the east end ; the doorway was
in the middle of the north side.
For an account of the Gigha Ogam, see page 346.
308 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
SUPPLEMENTARY.
Past I.
The foregoing pages, descriptive of the places and objects visited, were
written before the voyage was commenced, and were published in the form
of an Illustrated Guide, for the use of the members of the party on the
tour. The adoption of the past tense instead of the future, and the intro-
duction of some minor changes and corrections is all that was necessary to
transform the matter, already in type, into a record of the proceedings,
as fortunately the programme originally settled on, after much care and
deliberation, was carried out in a surprisingly faithful manner, taking
into account the distances traversed and the difficulty of access both by
sea and land, of the greater portion of the places visited. Some new
illustrations, taken from sketches and measurements made on the journey,
have been introduced, and others in the Guide withdrawn where they
were found to have been defective. Advantage is now taken of the
opportunity of reproducing some of the many excellent photographs
taken on the trip, and the comparison of some of the structures as they
now exist, with the illustrations already given, most of which were
drawn nearly fifty years ago, will form an interesting study, and show
the extent of the ravages of time in that period.
Of the photographs I have had an opportunity of examining, those
of Mrs. Shackleton come first, both as regards number and execution.
Mrs. Simpson's are not far behind — her photographs at Kildalton, taken
at 9 o'clock on the evening of 20th June, are marvellous. Mr. Kirker's
collection is very fine ; and the Rev. Dr. Buick, Mr. T. J Westropp, and
Mr. Law Bros secured many good pictures. Dr. Fogerty was very
successful, and. some others appear to have worked diligently, but I have
not yet seen their pictures.
Sanda, our first resting-place, was reached at 2 o'clock in the after-
noon, after a run of three hours from Belfast, steaming at a moderate
rate. The weather though more settled than when starting, was dull
and cloudy, and not well suited for the use of the camera. The exami-
nation of the two weatherworn crosses, and the remains of the little
church a short distance from the landing-place, did not occupy more
than one hour, and the short walk on land was much appreciated by
those who had been threatened with mat de mer ; it was a complete
restorative, and on again joining the ship they soon found their
PKOCEED1NGS.
309
"sea-legs," and for the rest of the voyage no one suffered any incon-
venience in this respect.1
Our course now brought us round the striking and picturesque head-
land of the Mull of Cantyre, round which we steamed very closely, and,
with a fresh breeze, bright sunshine, and genial warmth, the ever-
changing view of the magnificent coast scenery was greatly enjoyed.
Kildalton Church and Smaller Cross — from the north-east.
(From a Photograph by Mrs. Shackleton.)
After a delightful run of two hours, we anchored again in Ardmore
Bay shortly after six o'clock, and immediately after dinner landed on
Islay. A pleasant walk of a couple of miles brought us to Kildalton
graveyard, containing the ruins of the church and a large cross, while on
the side of the road is another high cross. The latter cross is shown to
1 At Sanda the doorway of the church is in the north wall, and has a flat lintel;
the small window in the south wall has sloping jambs, which, with the head of lintel,
have a broad chamfer running round ; the remains of the stone altar, under the east
window, are still to be seen.
310 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
the iigHt of the view of the church ; the large cross in the graveyard is
not very distinctly seen near the wall of the church. The head of
the smaller cross, east face, is shown ; it has a device of a geometrical
pattern, and is of quite a different type to the larger cross. In the
church are several monuments which, though rather rudely executed,
and in low relief, are of considerable interest. In the recess in the
south wall, close to the east gable (see the interior view), is a represen-
tation of a knight in armour on an upright slab, and there is some
lettering to the right of the figure, rather illegible, in which may, with
difficulty, be traced, hic jacet . . . ae . . ; to the left is a small human
figure. This monument appears to have been intended for a recumbent
position ; it is now placed upright in a recess in the wall, where a
window existed. This window is now blocked up externally, but the
jambs and arch can still be seen.
Smaller Cross, Kildalton (west face).
(From a Photograph by Mrs. Shackleton.)
This monument belongs to the fourteenth century period. The
pointed basinet on the head has taken the place of the helm, and attached
to the basinet is the camail, or tippet of mail, which did not go out until
the commencement of the fifteenth century ; the feet appear to be
covered with socks of mail lengthened into a point, which indicates a
period before sollerets, formed of articulated plate, were in use as cover-
ings for the feet. Sollerets came into use in the fourteenth century, and
their absence would indicate that the monument belongs to the early
period of that century. (See page 312.)
The date of the church, as indicated by the two lights in the east
gable, with pointed arches outside, and round-headed arches inside,
PROCEEDINGS.
311
would denote the transitional period to the pointed style of the
thirteenth century, and is, therefore, a little earlier than the
monument.
Before the site of the altar is another knight's tomb ; there is a
floriated cross, with a large sword, to one side of the shaft, and a band
of foliage to the other. There is another slab with a plain, raised^
East end Interior of Kildalton Church.
(From a Photograph by Mrs. Simpson.)
Latin cross, also several other slabs. In the south-west corner of the
church is a quaint tombstone, on which is represented a musket and
powder-horn, surrounded by an inscription, in incised capitals, "hear
LIETH CHARL. M. GOWTHOR, WHO LIVED IN" EROAIK (?) AND DEPARTED THIS
LIFE THE FIFTEENTH DAT OF FEBRTJAREY, 1696 . . . YE ARES."
The proprietor is Mrs. Eamsay, of Kildalton House, seven miles-
?)12 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
from Port Ellen. The country around is very sparsely populated ; there
is a large expanse of moor-land and heather, and as we retraced our
steps over the undulating ground to where the boats waited on the
beach, the scene was very beautiful. Though it was nearly 10 o'clock
before we returned to the ship, there was even then sufficient light on
land and water to see and admire the charming surroundings of the Bay
of Ardmore, in wh ich we anchored for the first night of the voyage.
Effigy in South Wall of Kildalton Church.
(From a Photograph by Mrs. Simpson.)
Next morning, at 5 o'clock, an early start was made for Oronsay,
and as we sailed northwards, through the Sound of Islay, most of the
party came on deck to \iaw the striking scenery. We had the Paps of
Jura to the right, and the east coast of Islay to the left. Oronsay was
PROCEEDINGS.
313
reached at 8 o'clock. The proprietor, General Sir John C. M'Neill,
k.c.b., v.c., Colonsay House, had instructed his manager, who is also
the local pilot, to meet the party, and show lis the ruins of the Priory,
and other places of interest on the island. The ruins are very care-
fully conserved by Sir John M'Keill. His brother, Mr. Malcolm M'Neill,
has a marine residence close to the Priory.
Oronsay Priory. Window in Side Chapel, looking west.
(From a Photograph by Mr. Kirker.)
In the small chapel to the south of the nave there is a curious
window in the west wall, a photograph of which, from the inside, is
given. It is about 2 feet in height, and is formed of a single stone,
the slab having been perforated in the solid. The window is finished
with a trefoil head ; this window gave light to a small apartment over
the chapel.
The structure marked bam and byre on the plan (see p. 164, ante),
and described as such in the extract on p. 167, seems to have been
originally the prior's lodging, and the building south of it was the
prior's chapel.
The apartment marked Chapter House on the plan has been con-
verted into a burial-place for the M'Neill family. A doorway facing
the east, with a gable over, has been erected. This is shown on the
314 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
photograph here reproduced ; a portion of the prior's chapel, and its
south door entrance, is seen to the right hand.
, The so-called hermit's cell, or sacrament house, is an aumbry of a
size larger than usual ; aumbries were formed by making recesses in
the thickness of the southern wall of the church near the altar. In
the present instance, a massive buttress, on the outside, adds consider-
ably to the thickness of the masonry where the aumbry was placed,
and advantage was taken of this to get a greater depth than the
thickness of an ordinary wall would permit of ; beyond this no signi-
ficance can be attached to its construction. The high altar is detached
from the east wall.
Oronsay Priory. View from the east.
(From a Photograph by Mr. H. C. Cochrane.)
After our examination of Oronsay, all were on board shortly after 10
o'clock, and the journey was resumed for Iona. We were suprised to find
that the course taken brought us to the west of the Island of Iona instead
of through the Sound, the depth of water in the lowest portion of which
is much more than is sufficient for our vessel. This entailed some loss
of time in steaming around the northern portion of the island, and
entering the Sound from the north, and as the anchorage selected was
more than a mile from the landing-place, still further delay was caused.
This inconvenience was, in a measure, ameliorated by the promptness
with which Mr. David Mac TJrayne's local agent, Mr. Alexander Bitchie,
came alongside with the capacious landing boats, and took the party
ashore. Mr. Ritchie acted as guide until the local clergyman, the
PROCEEDINGS.
315
Kev. Archibald Macmillan, kindly took charge of the party, and pointed
out, in detail, the features of this most interesting spot. Mr. Macmillan,
since he came to reside on the island, has made a study of its history
and antiquities, and has published a work on the subject of great value
to anyone desiring information on the subject.1
During our visit, Mr. Mac Erayne's daily steamer from Oban landed
a large party of tourists on the island. The facilities thus afforded
bring Iona within easy access of all. The antiquities here are the best
known of all those visited on the tour.
Iona Cathedral, from the south-east.
(From a Photograph by Mrs. Simpson.)
The party were photographed, in a large group, by Messrs. Maclure,
Macdonald & Co., of Glasgow, and a fine picture has been the result *
there are about eighty figures in it. The cathedral forms an excellent
background. The plate measures 15 inches by 12 inches.
The island of Iona has been the property of the Argyll family for
about two hundred years. The present Duke has this year, and since
'"Iona: Its History, Antiquities," &<?., by the Rev. Archibald Macmillan t
Minister of Iona. (Edinburgh and Glasgow: John Menzies & Co., 1898.) Price
2s. 6d. ; illustrated.
JOUR. U.S.A. I., VOL. IX., PT. III., 5TH SEU.
z
Iona Cathedral — Doorway, North Wall of Choir.
(From a Photograph by Mrs. Shackleton.)
PROCEEDINGS.
317
our visit, made over the ruins to trustees, under certain conditions, one
of which is that the buildings are to be re-roofed.
The deed of transfer is a document likely to become of historical
interest, and as it was executed the year in which the two Societies
visited Iona, its interest is further enhanced. The text of the document
is therefore here given in full : —
" Deed of trust by His Grace the Duke of Argyll relative to Iona Cathedral and
ruins.
"I, the most noble George Douglas Glassull Campbell, Duke of Argyll, Marquis
of Kintyre and Lome, k.g., k.t., considering that, for fifty-three years, since my
succession to the estates of the Argyll family, I have found myself the proprietor of
the island of Iona, with its ancient architectural remains, and that elsewhere in
Scotland its ancient cathedrals have been generally appropriated to public use as
parochial churches, and are not, therefore, the subjects of individual ownership,
whilst the cathedral of Iona, the most interesting of them all, has long been wholly
deserted, and has no position or recognition whatever corresponding to its public
interest: Considering further that I have laid out a considerable sum in preserving
the cathedral from further decay, and have so strengthened and repaired the walls,
that it is now nearly fit to be re-roofed : Considering further that although the said
architectural remains may be safe in my hands, and in the hands of my immediate
successors, yet the vicissitudes of personal position and character in those to whom
such property may descend offer a very imperfect security for the protection of, or for
the appropriate use of, buildings of such great historic interest to the whole Christian
world, and that I have come to the conclusion that it would be well for me to transfer
my right of property and ownership in the said buildings to a public trust in con-
nexion with the Established Church of Scotland : Therefore I do hereby dispone and
convey to and in favour of the persons hereinafter named as the present holders of
the several offices hereinafter mentioned so long as they shall continue to hold such
offices, viz. the Eight Rev. John Pagan, d.d., Moderator of the General Assembly of the
Church of Scotland ; Sir John Cheyne, q.c, Procurator of the said Church of Scotland ;
the Very Rev. Robert Herbert Story, d.d., ll.d., Glasgow, principal Clerk of the said
General Assembly; the Very Rev. James Cameron Lees, d.d., ll.d., Minister of the
High Kirk, Edinburgh (commonly called St. Giles's Cathedral) ; the Rev. Pearson
M'Adam Muir, d.d., Minister of St. Mungo's Church, Glasgow (commonly called
Glasgow Cathedral) ; Sir William Muir, k.c.s.i., d.c.l., Principal of the University
of Edinburgh ; the said Very Rev. Robert Herbert Story, Principal of the University
of Glasgow; the Rev. Alexander Stewart, d.d., Principal of St. Mary's College,
St. Andrews; and Sir William Duguid Geddes, ll.d., Principal of the University of
Aberdeen ; and to the persons who shall from time to time succeed to those before
named in the said several offices, and that as trustees for the purposes after mentioned,
or to such of the persons before named, and of those succeeding to them as aforesaid
as shall accept, all and whole those three parts of the island of Iona, in the county of
Argyll, which form the site of what are called the ruins of Iona, comprehending the
cathedral, the ancient chapel of St. Oran and the nunnery, and the adjoining burying-
grounds, together with the said buildings themselves and all the ancient tombstones
and relics in and about the same, and the enclosing walls of the said subjects, which
portions of the said island hereby disponed are coloured pink on the plan or sketch
annexed, and subscribed by me as relative hereto ; and are bounded as shown on the
said plan or sketch ; with entry as at the date of delivery hereof ; and I assign the
writs, but to the effect only of maintaining and defending the right of my said
disponees and their foresaids in the subjects hereby conveyed, and for that purpose I
bind and oblige myself and my heirs and successors to make the same forthcoming to
Z 2
318 ROYAL SOCIETY- OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
my said disponees and their foresaids on all necessary occasions upon a receipt and
obligation for redelivery thereof within a reasonable time and under a suitable penalty ;
but these presents are granted in trust always for the purposes following, viz. :
(1) The said subjects shall be held by the said trustees and their foresaids for behoof
}f, and as inalienably, except in the event after mentioned, connected with the Church
of Scotland, as at present by law established, and shall be preserved, used, and
managed (subject always to the provisions hereof) in accordance with such directions-
as may from time to time be given, or such rules and regulations as may from time to
time be framed in regard thereto by tbe said trustees acting on behalf of the said
Churcb ; (2) I declare it to be my wish that the cathedral shall be re-roofed and
restored so as to admit of its being used for public worship, under the direction of the
said trustees, and tbe other ruins carefully preserved ; but it is my hope and wish
that the said trustees will, and may occasionally allow, as it may be convenient, the
members of other Christian churches to hold services within the said cathedral, as I
have myself allowed during my ownership thereof; and to prevent any doubt on the
subject, I hereby expressly declare that the parish minister and kirk-session of Iona
for the time being shall have no part in the management of the said subjects, or of the
worship in the cathedral (except in so far as the use thereof may be allowed to them
for the purpose of worship by the trustees), all such powers being solely vested in the
trustees foresaid ; (3) I specially provide and declare that it shall not be lawful for
the trustees acting under these presents ever to sell, alienate, or burden with debt the
subjects hereby disponed or any part thereof; (4) In the event, of the said Church of
Scotland being disestablished, I hereby declare it to be my wish that the said subjects
shall be and become the property of such church or body of Protestants and Presby-
terians as Her Majesty's Secretary for Scotland, Her Majesty's Lord- Advocate for
Scotland, and the Sheriff of the county of Argyll for the time being, or the majority
of them shall, in their own absolute discretion, determine to be the Church or body
most nearly representative of the previously Established Church of Scotland ; and the
said trustees hereinbefore appointed shall be bound to denude of the said subjects
hereby disponed in favour of such new ex-officiis trustees as the said Secretary for
Scotland, Lord-Advocate for Scotland, and Sheriff of the county of Argyll, or the
majority of them, shall appoint as most suitable to represent the said last-mentioned
Church or body, and thereafter the said trustees so appointed, and their successors in
office, shall hold the said subjects for behoof of such Church or body, but subject to
all the provisions and declarations herein contained as applicable to the altered circum-
stances, and particularly to the declaration that it shall never be lawful to the trustees-
to sell, alienate, or burden with debt the said subjects, or any part thereof: and I
consent to registration hereof for preservation. In witness whereof these presents,
written on this and the preceding page by Douglas Gordon Hunter, clerk to Messrs.
Lindsay, Howe & Co., Writers to the Signet, Edinburgh, are, together with said plan
or sketch annexed, subscribed by me at Inveraray on the twenty-second day of September
eighteen hundred and ninety-nine, before these witnesses, Her Grace, Ina, Duchess of
Argyll, and Francis Robertson Mac Donald, Doctor of Medicine, Inveraray.
"(Signed), "Argyll.
"Ina. Argyll, Witness.
" F. R. Mac Donald, Witness."
Leaving Iona at 4 o'clock, p.m., the harbour of Scarnish, in Tireer
was reached at 6.15 o'clock ; the atmosphere was a little hazy, and the rate
of progress on this portion of the journey was very slow. At Scarnish
we were met by Mr. Macdiarmid, the local agent of the owner, the
Duke of Argyll ; by his Grace's instructions, he had been waiting for
Kirkapoll Church, Tiree.
(From a Photograph by Mr. Kirker.)
Crofter's Cottiige, Tiree.
(From a Photograph by Mr. Kirker. i
320
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
us since 3 o'clock. Kirkapoll, two miles distant from the landing-place,
was visited, and the remains of the two ancient churches, and several
interesting grave slabs, were examined. At Soroby there are more
ancient tombstones and a remarkable cross.
The ruins of "St. Patrick's Church" at Kennavara, the furthest
west point of Tiree, and about six miles from where we landed, and the
other ancient sites, were not visited, as only two vehicles, carrying three
persons each and a driver, were obtainable. The Duke, who took a
great interest^ in the ^expedition, mentioned, in a letter to the writer,
■
mm
Dun vegan Castle — Entrance^Porch.
(From a Photograph by Mrs. Shacldeton.)
that the island abounds in stone implements, but time would be needed
to search for them. He also suggested our visiting Eileann naomh,
the Hinba of St. Columba's time, an island north-west of Scarba, one
of the Garveloch group, containing one of the few bee-hive cells now
remaining in Scotland, but as the programme was already quite filled,
it was not possible to take it in.
Next morning we anchored in the beautiful land-locked harbour of
Canna at 7.30 o'clock, and, shortly after, landed in the ship's boats. A
walk of a mile brought us to the cross near to the old graveyard.
PKOCEEDINGS.
321
The cross was in the middle of a field, recently ploughed up, but the
proprietor, Mr. Allan Thorn, thoughtfully preserved an excellent path-
way to and around the cross, which enabled the party to examine it
with ease. A drawing of the east face, and one side, by Mr. Westropp,
is given at p. 199. The curious cross shaft, depicted on p. 200, was
examined on the lawn in front of Mr. Thorn's residence, after which we
got on board, and steamed out of the harbour for Dunvegan at 9.30 a.m.,
arriving at 12.30 a.m.
The Dunvegan Cup.
(From a Photograph by Mr. S. K. Kirker.)
The run from Tiree to Canna and Dunvegan brought us close to the
the island Jof Hum, the mountain peaks of which are of remarkable
grandeur, and, nearing the Isle of Skye, the dark serrated outline of the
Cuchullin Hills showed out boldly against the horizon. The sea was a
dead calm, "and there was a slight haze on the land, which, later in the
day, during our visit to Dunvegan, turned into rain. The barometer
was steady at 29*9 ; the air quite mild — almost warm.
322 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Arrived at Dun vegan Castle, the party were received by Macleod of
Macleod, the twenty-third chieftain of his clan ; having been introduced
to the members of his family, we were conducted by him through
the castle. The famous Dunvegan Cup, of Irish design and workman-
ship, was greatly admired, and several photographs of it were taken ;
two views by Mr. Kirker, and one by Mrs. Shackleton, are here repro-
duced. This cup is fully described at p. 206, ante. The celebrated
drinking-horn was shown, and the Bratach Shi, or fairy flag of the
Tlie Dunvegan Cup — Perspective View.
(From a Phonograph by Mrs. Shackleton.)
family; also original letters from Dr. Johnson after his visit in 1773,
and from Sir Walter Scott, written in 1815, to the grandfather of the
present chieftain. It was here that Sir Walter conceived the idea of
writing " The Lord of the Isles," and, on his visit to Dunvegan,
accumulated much of the material for that charming historical romance.
The dungeon, the fairy chamber, the coats of mail, and family pictures,
also relics of Prince Charlie, were shown and examined, after which a
PROCEEDINGS.
323
■copy of the Illustrated Descriptive Guide to the places visited, printed
on large paper, rubricated, and bound in vellum, was presented to
Macleod as a memento of the visit of the Society of Antiquaries of
Ireland, and of the Cambrian Archaeological Association, to Dunvegan.
In making the presentation on behalf of the party, the Rev. Dr.
Ruick said : —
" Macleod of Macleod, it now devolves upon me, as one of the Vice-
Presidents of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, to convey to
you the best thanks of the members present for the opportunity you
have so kindly given us of seeing for ourselves your ancient, historic,
.and picturesque home, and of making the acquaintance of yourself — the
representative of a long line of illustrious and heroic Highland chiefs.
■ - I undertake the duty with pleasure, but, like another Irishman, of
whom I have often heard, 1 I wish to say a few words before I begin.'
You will undei'stand, then, that 1 have not that fluency of expression,
and that facility in the production of the flowers of rhetoric, whicli are
generally supposed to be characteristic of Irishmen; as also that I am
an Ulsterman, and, in consequence, far removed from the subtle influences
of that celebrated stone which gives to its devotees the power of paying
compliments so appropriate and so exquisite in finish that some very
matter-of-fact people will insist upon it that they carry along with them
a suspicion, or, perhaps, 1 should say, rather more than a suspicion, of
exaggeration and unreality.
"And now having said this much for myself, let me speak for the
others as well. We are greatly indebted to you, sir, for the welcome
you have so cordially given us, and still more for the attention you have
so graciously paid us. We have spent a charming time under your roof.
We have been greatly interested in all we have heard and seen — in
the famous horn and Irish cup ; in the fairy chamber and dungeon grim;
in the wonder-working flag and Jacobite relic ; in the letters of Johnson
and Scott ; and in the splendid and attractive views from your walls
and windows. We go away wiser than we came, and we carry with us
memories that are sunnier far than the day is bright. We shall not
soon forget our visit here. Again we thank you with all our hearts,
and as good words are specially good when backed up by corresponding
deeds, and your old proverb still holds — ' giff gaff makes guid freens,'
we ask your acceptance of this copy of our Guide-book, whicli you may
wish to keep as a souvenir of our visit, and giving it, we wish you,
Madame Macleod, and your daughters long life, a full cup, and that
blessing whicli maketh rich, and addeth no sorrow. May you have a
measure of health, prosperity, and happiness proportioned to the capacity
of your famous horn, and may your romantic home, ' Dunvegan high,'
see many another century in and out, and need as little in the future,
as in the past, the intervention of your fairy flag ! "
324
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
The Ven. Archdeacon Thomas, Chairman of the Cambrian Archaeolo-
gical Association, on behalf of that Society, also thanked Macleod for his
courteous welcome. Having referred to the wild grandeur of the scenery
they had so recently passed on the western coast of the island, he remarked
that hitherto on their excursion their experience had been entirely of an
ecclesiastical character, and that it had been singularly interesting, and
especially so their visit to Iona, so dear to the Celtic and the Christian
heart; they were happy now in making their first acquaintance with
the military remains of the country in a castle with such a striking
history as Dunvegan ; the many centuries of its existence conjured up
in their minds weird visions of fierce raids by sea and land, of prisoners
in the gloomy dungeon, of giant prowess with the sword and the drinking
horn. The relics they had seen bespoke the fairy guardianship of the
family, and its steadfast loyalty to the throne of the Stuarts ; and they
had ocular evidence not only of the delicate workmanship of the Irish
artist in metal-work, but of the presence under that hospitable roof of
Scotland's most distinguished son, historian, poet, and romancer ; of
England's great scholar and lexicographer, and of "Wales' most instruc-
tive traveller and naturalist (Pennant). To be the happy possessor of
such a house of treasures, and to be the twenty-third Macleod to own it
in succession, were, indeed," things to rejoice in ; to be so full of know-
ledge and enthusiasm in their possession, so courteously to welcome our
Societies to inspect them, and to impart that knowledge in their eluci-
dation, greatly added to the debt under which Macleod of Macleod had
that day laid his Celtic invaders. He was sure they would all carry
home with them, and long retain in their memory, a vivid impression of
that pleasant occasion .
The passage across the Little Minch to Harris was uneventful. The
afternoon was hazy, and a typical " Scotch mist " came on, which rather
obscured the view of the headlands.
Eoclil was reached about four o'clock. Here we were met by Mr.
Eoderick Campbell, the local pier-master, and the party landed to visit
St. Clement's (Eodil) Church, which is described and illustrated at
pages 214-215, ante. This remarkable structure is now used for the
Presbyterian form of worship. There is no clergyman resident at Eodil,
so the service is intermittent.
In the west and south faces of the tower are inserted some remarkable
sculptured stones, which have attracted the attention of antiquaries.
One in the south wall is on a level with the string-course, which is
carried over it after the fashion of a hood moulding; it is a rude repre-
sentation of a female form in a sitting posture ; there is an object at
the right hand side, above the seated figure, not clearly discernible.
This class of sculpture is of frequent occurrence on mediaeval buildings
in Ireland, and is known by the name of Slwelah-na-gig . A list of Irish-
Upper portion of the Tower of Rodil Church, from the south-west.
(From a Photograph by Mr. S. K. Kirker.)
326
ROYAL 80CIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
specimens Avas compiled by the late Dr. William Frazer, Fellow, Hon.
Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, in which he enumerates
thirty-six examples. (See Journal R. S.A.I, for the year 1894, pp. 77
and 392.)
There are some examples in England, to one of which attention was
called during our visit to the church of Penmon, near Beaumaris, with
the Cambrian Archa3ological Association in 1894. Last year the writer
observed a remarkable specimen over a window in the south chancel wall
of the parish church of Holgate, thirteen miles north of Ludlow. The
parish clergyman said it was called " a Saxon idol."
Window and Figure in the South Wail of the Tower of llodil Church.
In the west face of the tower at llodil are two sculptured male
figures ; they do not appear to be in situ, and seem to have be-
longed to au earlier edifice. Figures of this type are very rare in
Ireland.
We visited Lord Dunmore's marine residence at llodil in hopes of
seeing his collection of antiquities, but they had been removed to London
a short time previously.
Remaining at anchor in llodil Bay, during the evening a number of
PROCEEDINGS.
327
natives came on board to see the large ship ; they entertained the
party with some Hebridean music, and sang several Gaelic songs.
A Welsh member sang "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau," in which all the
Cambrians joined in chorus.
Window and .Figures in the West Wall of the Tower of Rodil Church.
Part II.
On Friday morning, June 23rd, the weighing of the anchor at
2 a.m., aroused those of us who wished to see the passage of the Sound
of Harris. The costume of the party on deck at this hour of the morn-
ing was rather miscellaneous, one travelled associate appeared in full
Cingalese garb, including native sandals and turban.
Rounding Renish, in a short time we were close to the narrows,
apparently completely blocked up with rocky islets; it ve as a capital
328 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
bit of manoeuvring for a local pilot with such a large vessel, as he had
to turn at right angles in the channel and head for the shore, to which
we approached within about the " Magic's " length, then she had to be
turned again at a right angle into the fair way for the next pair of
beacons; the first turn is regulated by three white beacons on shore
near the village of Obbe, which must be kept in line until the two
westward sea beacons open out, and thence forward it is a clear run
to the Flannan Isles.
The " Magic " was thus safely brought through a passage which
twelve hours before had been declared to the Committee to be "utterly
impracticable."
St. Flannan's Orator)', Eilean M6r, Flannan Isles,"from the south-west.
I had, however, some months before, while arranging the route,
made myself acquainted with the possibilities of navigating this
channel before deciding to go that way. Fortunately I had arranged
with Mr. Roderick Campbell, of Rodil, to have his son Kenneth, a
clever young pilot, in readiness, and, on his coming on board, demon-
strated that with a flowing tide and against the current, and with
his knowledge of the channel, its navigation was a simple matter. He
said, however, that the ' 1 Magic" was the largest vessel that ever
passed through the Sound of Harris, and lie was proud of having
taken her through.
We arrived off the Flannan Isles at 7 o'clock a.m., and got quite
close to Eilean Mor, the largest of the group. This island rises almost
precipitously from the sea. The difficulty of access was considerable,
PROCEEDINGS.
329
but fortunately the work in connexion with the erection of the new
lighthouse was going on, and steps had been partly cut into the face
Triple Chambered Cell, Eilean M6r, Flannan Isles.
of the rock. A rope was stretched up the slope by which we were
able to haul ourselves up on hands and knees, and one by one, as very
little foothold could be obtained for the first 50 or 60 feet.
After this a narrow, steep and unprotected track ran along the edge
of the slope for about 200 feet, and brought us by a dangerous and
Callernish Stone Circle (No. 2), fromgthe west, where the Cairn and Stone Cists were found.
(From a Photograph by Mr. S. K. Kirker.)
JOUR. R.P.A.I., VOI,. IX., PT. iit., oth sek.
E
Callernish Stone Circle (No. 2)— Ground Plan.
0 50 2.0 F~
Ll.XJJL_L-Xl_JLJ 1 ' f
Ground Plan of Double-chambered Cell and St. Flannan's Oratorv,
Eilean Mor, Fiannan Isles.
PROCEEDINGS.
333
toilsome ascent to the summit. The men at work on the island said
the sea had been quieter that day and the two days previously than it
had been any time since they came ; notwithstanding this only three
boats were allowed to land, and many were disappointed.
0 10 20 30 40 50
I I I I I I
Scate^ of feet
Ground Plan of Callernish (No. 3) Circle.
Thea'uins here are getting into a very dilapidated condition ; they
can hardly escape rough usage where there are so many workmen
about, ./rhexlra wings prepared by Mr. T.J. Westropp from photographs
and measurements (the latter taken by Mr. Kirker), show how the ruins
were in June last. At 9 o'clock we were again under steam for Callernish
2 A 2
Dun Carloway and Crofter's Cottage.
(From a Photograph by Mr. S. K. Kirker.)
View ot North llona — Southern Summit.
(From a Photograph by Mr. S. K. Kirker.)
PROCEEDINGS.
335
in Loch Roag, which was reached at 11 o'clock a.m. The illustrations
given at pp. 268 and 269 are here supplemented by photographs which
convey a very good idea of the condition of these monuments. The
country around is very poor ; the village of Callernish, called locally
Callanish, contains dwellings of a very rude description. Only some of
the party visited the outlying circles, which are of minor importance ;
illustrations of these are also given.
At 1.15 p.m we started for Loch Carlo way, and landing here
soon made way for the Broth of that name. Dr. Munro gave a short
•dissertation on this and Scottish lirochs in general. It occupies a com-
manding position on a rocky plateau, which is well illustrated in the
accompanying photograph, with a crofter's cottage at the base of the hill
in the foreground.
We returned to the ship shortly after 6 o'clock, and remained at
anchor in Loch Carlo way for the night.
North Rona came into view early on Saturday morning, and by 7 a.m.
we had anchored on the south-east side of the island, barometer
reading 30-2 and rising ; wind W.N.W. The water was smooth, and
this enabled us to effect a landing ; there was no beach where we
landed, but a sort of table rock at a level of about 10 feet above the
water. After several attempts, a small leclge of rock was eventually
found at the level of the water, on which, by the exercise of some
agility, a footing was obtained and the upward ascent commenced.
Our boats were surrounded by seals and cormorants, one of the latter
getting into a boat. The morning was bright, the air balmy, and the
island presented a lovely appearance. The green pasture was almost
hidden by the growth of sea pink, the perfume of which was evident on
Hearing the shore.
On the island we were surrounded by eider ducks, cormorants, sea-
pies, puffins, and gulls of every description in myriads. Their nests
were met I with every few yards; in some of these were eggs, and in
•others the downy, young birds. The fledglings running about showed
no disposition to get out of the way, and it required some care to avoid
treading on them.
The island has steep hills to the south, ending in noble cliffs ; the
northern part is flat, and little more than 30 to 40 feet high, all covered
with sea pink.
The ruins are on the south side, to arrive at them we had to cross
the highest part of the island, but as there was a gentle wind, and
the morning bright and cool, the climb was delightful.
The ruins on North Rona are much more dilapidated than those on
the Flannan Isles. The photographs reproduced, show their present
•condition, and an examination of Mr. Muir's drawings, made in 1859, of
the interior of the church, at page 274, ante, will give some idea of the
•extent of the injury in the intervening period. It is not yet too late to
Teampul Koi a— St. Bonan's ( hurch, from the east.
(From a Photograph by the Rev. Dr. Buick.)
PROCEEDINGS.
337
have these most interesting structures properly conserved. Eestoration
or building up a new St. Konan's Church is not suggested, only the re-
placing of the stones in the same position as indicated in Mr. Muir's
sketches. His ground plan is practically correct, and there is internal
evidence that the elevation of the small cell interior, as represented on
page 274, is a correct drawing. The actual cost of providing the neces-
sary labour for this purpose, that is, bringing the men from the mainland
and housing them on the island, would not be very great; no doubt
some competent archaeologist could be found willing to incur the expense
of visiting the place to supervise the work. Without such supervision it
would be better not to touch the remains.
Cell on JNorth Rona.
(From a Photograph by the Rev. Dr. Buick.)
We left North Eona after a three hours' stay, which seemed too
short for such a delightful spot, and after a charming run S.S.E. of
about five hours we arrived at Stromness about 3.40 p.m.
On the way we passed the rocky islets of Suill and Skerry, in the
former of which is a lighthouse, a lonely one, as the nearest land is
Cape Wrath, barely visible over the southern horizon. We passed
through a large " school " of porpoises, which accompanied our ship for
some distance. We had bright sunshine and a fresh breeze, and the
distant hills of Scotland were visible to the south as we came in
sight of the great red cliffs of the Island of Hoy in the Orkneys, the
flat low shores of Pomona lying more to the north. We got a good
view of the bold rock pillar called the " Old Man of Hoy," towering out
of the sea, 450 feet in height.
338 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
At Stromness the place of anchorage selected was very inconvenient,
as we had to pull in the small boats nearly two miles through the
current from Scapa Flow, at that time running westward with great force,
landing on a very rough beach, and then walk over a rough path for
another two miles, to a road at the remote end of Stromness. Carriages
had been in waiting at the quay, where our boats ought to have landed.
While toiling towards the shore we were hailed by Mr. Cursiter
of Kirkwall, who joined the party and accompanied us during our visit
to the Orkneys and also to Caithness.
That evening we anchored in Scapa Bay ; at midnight it was so
bright, that it was easy to read and write without artificial light, and a
member of our party made a water-colour sketch on deck.
Kirkwall has been the capital of the Orkneys from about the
time when the first Earl Rognvald erected the Church of St. Olaf there
in honour of his foster-father, King Olaf the Holy, who fell at Stiklestad
in a.d. 1030. The Cathedral, commenced by the second Earl Rognvald
in 1137, received the relics of St. Magnus previous to the departure of
the Earl and his band of Jerusalem-farers for the Holy Land in 1152.
The relics of the pilgrim Earl himself were committed to it in 1158.
The remains of King Haco, who died in the Bishop's Palace here on
his return to Orkney after the Battle of Largs in 1263, lay in state before
the High Altar, and were temporarily interred for three winter months
pending their removal to Bergen. In 1290 the remains of the unfortu-
nate Maid of Norway were temporarily deposited here previous to their
removal to Bergen by Bishop Narve ; and in 1540 King James V., on his
tour round the Islands, heard High Mass celebrated by Bishop Maxwell,
whose successor added the triple western portal to the now completed
Cathedral, which at the present day is the noblest Norman edifice in
Scotland. The Bishop's and Earl's Palaces, both now in ruins, still
testify to the departed glory of this metropolis of the Islands.
The proceedings in connexion with the Orkney and Caithness portion
of the tour are well described in John o' GroaVs Journal of 30th June
last, a weekiy paper published in Wick, and which had once for its
editor, Dr. Joseph Anderson of Edinburgh. From it the following
account, somewhat condensed, is taken : —
"Arrival at Keiss.
" A visit to the Keiss Brochs, which had been opened by Sir Francis
Tress Barry, Bart., m.p., was included in the programme of the tour, and
it was expected that the steamer containing the party would arrive off
the harbour of Keiss on the forenoon of Monday, June 26th. Promptly at
10 a.m. that day a party from Wick drove up to Keiss village, to find that
the ship had arrived, and that a good many had landed several hours
before the programme time. One of the first recognised was Mr. James W.
Cursiter, f.s.a. (Scot.), Kirkwall, who had come with the party that
PROCEEDINGS.
339
morning from Scapa Bay. Mr. Cursiter, whose enthusiasm and ability
as an antiquary are widely known, acted as guide to the distinguished
visitors while they were on the Orkney mainland, and all were loud in
their praises of Mr. Cursiter's zeal and kindness.
consisted of Bailies Bae and Simpson, Dean of Guild Mcolson, Councillor
Gunn, Mr. George Gunn, Mr. llobert llobertson, j.p., Mr. Charles
Johnston, Mr. Alexander Sinclair, jun., and Mr. E. J. G. Millar.
This party was afterwards joined by Dr. Alexander, Councillor Mackay,
ex-Bailie Smitton, Mr. D. Wares, Mr. A. Mackenzie, Mr. T. Bain,
Mr. Long, and Mr. Macdowall. On alighting from their conveyances at
Keiss, they were quickly surrounded by members of the excursion party
who had come on shore, and who had completed their examination of the
Brochs, and were preparing to re-embark."
"Full of the subject of their tour, and evidently greatly delighted
with the scenes through which they had passed, the archaeologists were
ready to impart all information sought for. "While the Wick party were
in course of enjoying their conversation, and descriptions of the places
of interest which they had visited, a conveyance drove up containing a
party of twelve of the leading members of the tour, who had gone speci-
ally to inspect the ISybster Broch, and who had now returned. They
" The Deputation fkom Wick
Maeshowe Tumulus.
(From a Photograph by Mrs. Simpson.)
340
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
were accompanied by Mr. James Nicolson, factor for Sir P. T. Barry,
and by Mr. John Nicolson, the well known and indefatigable local
antiquary, who was in his element with the antiquarian visitors, all of
whom expressed their gratification at meeting Mr. Nicolson, and their
delight with all they had seen. . . .
" In Orkney
we may first refer to the landing of the party on Saturday afternoon at
the quaint old town of Stromness, with which they were specially
Old Castle of Keiss, from the sea.
(From a Water-colour Sketch.)
charmed. From Stromness they drove to Stennis and the Maeshowe
tumulus, which they inspected with great interest. Here they were
very kindly received by Mr. Magnus Spence, who gave the party a most
interesting lecture on these remarkable mounds and stone circles, &c.
The "Magic" then steamed for Scapa Bay, where the party were
accompanied by Mr. Cursiter and other friends interested in archaeology.
On Sunday morning all proceeded to
PROCEEDINGS.
341
' ' Kirkwall,
where they attended divine service at the different churches according-
to their denomination. Most of them worshipped in the Cathedral;
it happened to be parade Sunday for the local volunteers, and the
mnsic was led by the volunteer brass band. . . . rather Coleman, o.p.,
St. Catherine's, Newry, conducted the service and preached in the
Kirkwall Roman Catholic Chapel, which was attended by a considerable
number of the party, and a good many worshipped in the local Episcopal
Church.
HP"*"
Grinding and other Implements found in the Kiess Druchs, now at Keiss Castle.
" The rich antiquarian and historical remains of Kirkwall were
inspected with keen interest. Mr. Cursiter acted as guide to the Earl's
and Bishop's Palaces, the splendid Cathedral, and the other features of
the ancient town. Mr. Cursiter's private collection, illustrating the
natural history, geology, and archaeology of the Orkneys, was also
visited. It is probably the most complete collection of its kind in the
North of Scotland, and includes some things perfectly unique.
el The members were particularly anxious that their thanks should
be publicly conveyed to Mr. Cursiter, who most courteously received
the party, for his kindness, not only in making the local arrangements in
342 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
connexion with their visit, but also for writing an excellent summary
of the main archaeological features of Stromness, Stennis, Maeshowe,
and Kirkwall. In the afternoon he and Mrs. Cursiter and their daughter
■entertained the tourists to tea and other refreshments in his private
garden, and a most pleasant time was spent in the capital of the Orkneys.
"Mr. Cursiter was presented with a magnificent Edition de luxe of
the Programme of the Tour, specially bound in white vellum, containing
portraits and autographs of the principal excursionists, which included
not only antiquaries, but distinguished botanists, geologists, &c. The
presentation was made, in the names of the Societies, by the Rev. Dr.
Buick, who very happily expressed the great indebteduess they were
under to Mr. Cursiter."
" The Visit to Caithness.
" Leaving ScapaBay early on Monday morning, the "Magic" steamed
close to and anchored off Keiss Harbour about 7 o'clock, a couple of
hours earlier than the programme time. The party were accompanied
by Mr. Cursiter, and by means of the ship's boats, and that of Mr. J.
Henderson, the local harbour-master (who is also Sir F. T. Barry's boat-
man), a large number soon landed. First they visited the Harbour
Broch, and then the old Castle of Keiss, from which they proceeded to
the modern Keiss Castle, the manor-house of the estate, and were
shown over Mr. Barry's collection by the housekeeper, Mrs. Munro.
Thereafter they examined the Keiss Broch, and the Keiss Road Broch,
and noted their various features. As already stated, a party had pro-
ceeded to the JSTybster Broch, with which they were particularly well
pleased, as also with the noteworthy Mervyn Tower and its sculpture
work and the antiquities collected by Mr. John JSicholson.
" Dr. Munro, the Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland,
said that the Nybster Broch was one of the most interesting of the 300
in Scotland. A peculiar feature of it is that while it has two stairs outside
it has none inside. The excavations conducted by Sir F. T. Barry were,
he said, of great importance from an archaeological point of view. The
eight brochs which had been excavated showed the main characteristics
that are common to all the other Scottish brochs, about eighty of
which are in Caithness alone. The special function of the brochs was
originally for defensive purposes, but there had been buildings added on
afterwards by a later people, and the different periods represented by
the outbuildings form an interesting study."
Ntbster Broch stands on a seaworn cliff or headland, and consists of
a central circular room, with the usual hearths, slab compartments, and
il wells." The entrance passage leads to the north-east. There are
numerous subsidiary buildings about it. The walls are reduced to
•6 or 8 feet in height. A low modern flagstaff tower, with quaint
PROCEEDINGS.
carving's of Thor and other gods and heroes, armorial bearings, &c.,
stands on the seaward portion of the site.
Leaving Keiss Bay we steamed northward along the bold coast of
Caithness, past the Stacks of Duncansby, and westward into theJPent-
land Firth, through a rushing
tide and a roaring sea. We were
now going -• f ull speed ahead,"
though at John o' Groat's House
we were not two miles from the
shore. Passing between Stroma
and the mainland we again saw
the " Old Man of Hoy," and were
soon round the fine headland of
Dunnet, while Thurso came well
into view with a fishing fleet of
at least a thousand vessels cross-
ing our track for the northern
fishing grounds.
We now get further from the
shore and make direct for Cape
Wrath, which we pass at 4.50
p.m., and turning at almost a
right angle, steam due south.
The day was most delightful, and
the coast scenery magnificent :
high cliffs in parts, with back-
grounds of mountain peaks 1400
to 3000 feet high. Later in the
evening we passed Bassy Island
and on to the narrows of Kyle
Akin, we entered Loch Alsh,
having the splendours of a de-
parting red sunset behind and a
full moon rising over the dark
hills ahead. The anchor was
dropped in Loch Alsh at 11.50
p.m.
Early on Tuesday morning we
left our anchorage, and those who
were early on deck were rewarded
by the fine views. The morning was clear and somewhat cold, with a
smooth?sea, and deep dark shadows from the hills around.
On the way to Oban we passed between Duart Point and the Lady's
Pock : the latter so dangerous to navigation and the cause of many a
shipping disaster. It is intended to erect a beacon light at the point as-
Shaft of Cross, Eilean Mdr, Sound of Jura.
344 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
a memento of the late William Black the novelist, who has in his
writings depicted many scenes in the Hebrides and west of Scotland.
We had a short delay at Oban to land six of our party who wished
to travel in Scotland, after which the course was continued through the
Sound of Kerrera and past Corryvrechan. We arrived at Eilean Mor,
and landed there at 10 o'clock on Tuesday morning, and proceeded
across the rocks and heather to the ruins. The church of St. Carmaig,
the shafts of two crosses, and St. Carmaig' s cell were examined.
The nave of the church seems to have been at one time transformed
into a residence; it is now roofless : but the chancel has n roof, and is in
St. Carmaig's Church, Eilean Mor.
(From a Photograph by Mr. S. K. Kirker.)
a fair state of preservation. The smaller east window and a light in the
north wall of chancel are each cut out of a single stone. The former is
a later insertion ; originally it was of the same size as the larger window.
In the nave there is a small window in the west gable, high up in the
wall, intended to light a sleeping apartment which had been formed in
the roof over the nave. The lintel of this window is a sculptured slab,
which may have been a narrow tombstone or the shaft of the cross.
There is a head of a cross in the nave, as is shown in the accompanying
illustration (see p. 345), and the shaft of another cross, which stands a
short distance east of the church (see p. 343). The carvings on the
east face, commencing at the top, are — (1) an interlacing of several
PROCEEDINGS.
345
animals; (2) a grotesque animal; (3) a horse with a diminutive rider,
wearing a peaked cowl. Below the animals is a handsome fretwork,
and below this, again, is a panel of two grotesque men wrestling, and
holding an interlaced cord. A decorated boss alone adorns the west
face. The arms are entirely destroyed.
The shaft of the cross on the highest point of the island is of much
later date ; it is decorated with lions and foliage, and a long (nearly
illegible) inscription.
HEAD OF CROSS— FRONT. HEAD OF CROSS— BACK.
Fragment of Cross at St. Carmaig's Church, Eilean M6r.
(From Photographs by Mr. S. K. Kirker.)
Rejoining the ship, we started for Gigha Island, and landed at the
west side at 2 o'clock p.m. The proper landing places are at the east
and south sides of the island, and much time was lost in clambering over
about 2 miles of the roughest part of the island to get to the reputed
Ogam stone, the objective point of our visit to Gigha, as it was on the
representation of my friend, Professor Rhys, that I was induced to
include it in our programme.
Fortunately we were well repaid for the journey, as the discovery
of an Ogam inscription is not the least important result of our tour.
Rubbings and photographs were taken ; one of the latter, by Mr. Kirker,
is reproduced as an illustration. There was not much difficulty in
deciphering the characters on the middle of the right-hand side, but the
346 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
rest is too much worn. The pillar stone on which the inscriptions are cut
stands on a bold knoll, north of Kilchattan Church, and the collective
labour of the party made out, as a tentative reading, the letters —
m(a)q(i) gagi s, or maqtji cangtjs.
The pillar is 5 feet 8 inches high, the sides tapering up from 12 inches
to 8 inches, and from 11^ inches to 9 inches.
South of the church are two large earthen mounds, the eastern with
a fosse and outer ring.
St. Catan's Church, Gigha Island — North-east View.
(From a Photograph by Mrs. Shackleton.)
Professor Rhys has kindly contributed the following note on
" The Gigtta Ogam.
"Mr. Cochrane handed mc-, when I was lately in Dublin, a photo-
graph and calico rubbing of the Gigha Ogam, and I have been poring
a good deal over them. When I recommended the archaeological party
to land on Gigha, I felt rather doubtful that I was doing right. The
first allusion I had ever seen to the supposed existence of an Ogam on
that island occurs in one of the late Dr. Skene's works — I think it must
be his ' Celtic Scotland ' — but I have no books where I am writing.
PROCEEDINGS.
347
When in Scotland a few years ago, I frequently tried to find informal
tion about the stone, and while on a visit at Dr. Copeland's house
in Edinburgh, 1 met Mrs. Margaret Stuart, who had heard of the stone,
and promised to find out more about it. So in March, 1898, Mrs. Stuart
wrote to me, assuring me that the stone had an Ogam on it ; and, on the
strength of that letter, I suggested to Mr. Cochrane the desirability of
the expedition landing on Gigha, and examining the stone — at that time
I hoped to be one of the party.
In the meanwhile, inquiries
am ong members of the Glasgow
Archaeological Society elicited a
letter from a leading antiquary
of my acquaintance there ; he
felt convinced that the stone has
no Ogam on it. So, when the
Irish and "Welsh party returned,
I expected to 'be severely scolded
for inducing them to go on a wild
goose-chase. It was a pleasant
surprise to me, therefore, to find
that they are all convinced of the
reality of the Ogam, and I con-
clude that the stone described by
my Glasgow friend was not the
one meant by Mrs. Stuart. I
am delighted to find that this
lady's record has received such
welcome confirmation, and any-
one looking at the photographs
taken by Mr. Cochrane and others,
will at once be convinced of the
reality of the Ogam. Unfortu-
nately, one cannot with safety
go very much further, as the
stone is evidently very weather-
worn. On the right-hand edge,
however, one sees, beyond doubt,
a group of five scores on the -ZT-side of the edge if you read upwards :
then at a little distance one detects, with some difficulty, another group
of four or five similarly situated. This suggested to me double q, as a
part of maqqui, as spelled in Ogams about Dingle, in Kerry. If that
could be accepted as a trial reading, one would have to look below the
first q for ma, but there a piece of the edge is broken, and below the
break there are two scores or grooves drawn slanting on the -ZT-side of
the edge. On the whole, however, they seem to me too far apart, and
JOUR. B.S.A.I., VOL. IX., P7. III., 5TH SER. 2 B
Gigha Ogam Pillar- stone.
(From a Photograph by Mr. S. K. Kirker.)
348 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
certainly too far from the first supposed q, to be a part of the word
maqqui. They are also too long, and I cannot regard them as parts of
the writing, but as due to some accidental injury to the face of the
stone. There might, however, have been ma : in fact I seem to find
the a intact just above where the edge is broken, and Mr. Cochrane
thought that an m was possible there, though he could not say much
for it. On weighing the difficulties of this guess, I was forced to modify
it. In the first place there was space enough for e or i between the
first q, and what I have suggested might possibly be another q : then I
have failed to convince myself that this latter can have consisted of
more than four scores. All this would mean that the inscription began
with maqui, followed by a name beginning with c, to which I may add
that the rubbing suggests subsequent groups of scores : the whole may
be represented roughly thus : —
_/_ - ulul . : : . . julll ^ y/^ + . . . : T
MAQU I CAG I LEB....
T~ 7 NGE J
The reader, however, must understand that all after the c is highly
conjectural, and I ought to add that I have been lent a photograph by
Mr. Williams, of Solva, which shows the left-hand edge of the stone as
if bearing traces of Ogams, and on again scrutinizing the rubbing, I
notice what appears like two slanting scores low on that edge ; but they
are in a position approximately to be continuations of the two scores which
I have already ruled out of the reckoning. As I greatly distrust my
own interpretation of rubbings and photographs of stones which I
have not seen, I have appealed to Mr. Cochrane as to the left-hand edge,
and his answer seems decisive : here it is : — ' As to the markings on
the left edge, we all examined them most carefully, and were reluctantly
obliged to come to the conclusion that there were no Ogam scores on
that side.'
" The fact that the vowels appear to consist of notches shows that this
Ogam stone belongs to the same ancient class as the majority of those of
Ireland, Wales, andDumnonia, and not to that embracing nearly all those
found in the east of Scotland, in the Orkneys, and in the Shetlands.
Maqui Cagilehi might be rendered {Lapis vel monumentum) Filii Cagilebi,
and the formula of the name would be the same as that of Jifaqui Caira-
tini on the Painestown stone in county Meath. As to the name Cagilehi,
the second element, lebi, is too uncertain to call for any further remark ;
but cagi occurs elsewhere — namely, in the Netacagi of the Castletimon
Ogam in county Wicklow. We have it also, perhaps, as cogi in Cogidub-
nus, and in the Welsh word cae, ' a hedge or fence.' Cae is derived
from the same origin as the word hedge, earlier hegge, liege, and the Gallo-
Erythonic stem may be represented, perhaps, as cagio or cogio. I have
already suggested how hypothetical the reading of the stone must be
PROCEEDINGS.
349
regarded as being, and it is needless to point out how desirable it is that
it should be removed from its present exposed position, and carefully
•examined again. Lastly, I have heard that one of the party was told by
one of the inhabitants of Gigha that he knows of another stone with
similar * nicks ' on it. Let us hope that this information may turn out
correct."
At 7.45 p.m., all were on board again ; the boats were stowed, the
accommodation ladder unshipped, and the "Magic," in a very leisurely
manner, steamed south for Belfast, which was reached during the night.
Next morning, immediately after breakfast, we left the ship, and so
closed " this wonderfully successful, enjoyable, and comfortable trip,
accomplished with extraordinary precision as to time, and without the
slightest accident, notwithstanding the dangerous landings which had
to be made on the outlying islands, from boats, carrying, on an average,
twenty-five passengers at each trip from the ship to the shore."
From Belfast an Excursion was arranged to " the Giant's Ring,"
and to Drumbo Round Tower,1 but time did not permit of a visit to the
latter.
The Lord Mayor of Belfast held a reception at 4.30 p.m., in honour
of the members of the two Societies taking part in the Excursion, in the
Exhibition Hall of the Royal Botanic Gardens, for which upwards of
1000 invitations had been issued.
On Thursday an excursion was made to Portrush, Dunluee Castle, and
the Giant's Causeway. Professor Rhys, who had joined the party that
morning, travelled to Ballymena and met four other members of the
Society, assisted at the examination of the Connor Ogam Cave, for opening
up which a grant had been made by the Royal Irish Academy. The
Professor's readings will be published later, but it may be of interest
to state that the examination confirmed the accuracy of the surmise in-
dicated at page 408 of the Journal of this Society for 1898, as to the
correct reading of one of the inscribed stones.
On Friday the party visited Drogheda for Dowth, JNewgrange, Melli-
font, and Monasterboice. After dinner at Drogheda they returned to
Dublin and Belfast, and proceeded to their respective destinations.
The principal feature of the Scotch tour was, that in the selection of
places visited, an effort was made to see the typical and characteristic
antiquities of the country, as well as those not easily accessible.
Thus, the earliest Christian settlements and the remains of the earliest
churches and oratories were visited ; the best examples of the high crosses
of Scotland were seen, as well as later Christian churches and monastic
buildings. A ruined cathedral and one still used for worship were visited,
1 For a description of these antiquities, see pp. 353, 356.
2 B 2
350 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
with the remains of a bishop's palace and an earl's palace, as well as the
residence of a Highland chieftain in continuous occupation for a thousand
years, and the smaller uninhabited castle on the cliffs at Keiss.
For earlier times we had examples of the prehistoric stone circles of
Callernisb, Brogar, and Stennis, and the sepulchral tumulus ofMaeshowe.
We had also the benefit of the most recent investigations concerning those
peculiarly Scotch structures, the Brochs, and lastly a Scotch Ogam
stone. In these days when comparative archaeology is beginning to
receive the attention it deserves, it was fitting that as far as practicable
an opportunity should also be given for seeing Irish examples, and accord-
ingly a visit was arranged to a Round Tower and High Cross, prehistoric
sepulchral monument and ruined castle, ancient abbey and Ogam-stone,
all within easy distance of Belfast, the starting point and finish of the
expedition.
PROCEEDINGS.
351
The Thied General Meeting of the Society for the year 1899 was held
(by permission of the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society)
in the Museum, College-square, Belfast, on Wednesday, 16th August,
at 8 o'clock, p.m. ;
The Rev. James O'Lavekty, p.p., m.r.i.a., Vice-President,
in the Chair.
The following took part in the proceedings : —
Fellows. — "William J. Knowles, m.r.i.a., Vice-President ; Robert M. Young, b.a.,
m.r.i.a., Viee- President; Rev. George R. Buick, m.a^, ll.d., m.r.i.a., Vice-President;
Rev. Canon ffrench, m.r.i.a., Vice-President ; Robert Cochrane, f.s.a., m.r.i.a.,
Hon. General Secretary; G. D. Burtchaell, m.a., ll.b., m.r.i.a.; John Ribton
Garstin, m.a., i/l.b., b.d., f.s.a., v.p.,r.i.a. ; William Gray, m.r.i.a. ; William E.
Kelly ; S. K. Kirker ; Rev. W. T. Latimer, b.a. ; S. F. Milligan, m.r.i.a. ; William R.
J. Molloy, m.r.i.a. ; John Moran, m.a., ll.d., m.r.i.a.; P. J. O'Reilly ; Professor
W. R. Scott, m.a. ; Colonel Philip D. Vigors ; John Vinycomb, m.r.i.a.
Members. — Rev. W. A. Adams, b.a. ; Ven. Archdeacon Baillie, m.a. ; J. B. Cassin
Bray; William M. Campbell; W. T. Clements; Henry A. Cosgrave, m.a.; Charlea
Elcock, Curator of Museum; William Faren; W. J. Fennell, m.r.i.a.i. ; Albany
Fetherstonhaugh, b.a. ; Robert Gray, f.r.c.p.i., j.p. ; Granby Higinbotham ; F. W.
Lock wood ; Very Rev. 0. Mac Cartan, p.p., v.g. ; Robert G. M'Crum, j.p. ; Very
Rev. Alexander Mac Mullan, p.p., v.g. ; Brian Mac Sheehy, ll.i>. ; Rev. William
M'Kean; John P. M'Knight; Rev. R. C. Oulton, b.d.; M. S. Patterson; W. H.
Patterson, m.r.i.a. ; J. J. Phillips ; Rev. Charles Scott, m.a. ; Rev. A. S. Woodward,
m.a. ; Mrs. Woodward.
The Minutes of the Second General Meeting were read and con-
firmed.
The following Candidates, recommended by the Council, were
declared duly elected : —
Fellow.
Gibson, Andrew, 49, Queen's- square, Belfast : proposed by Robert M. Young.,
b.a., m.r.i.a., Vice-President.
Members.
Barrett, Professor William F., f.r.s., De Vesci-terrace, Monkstown : proposed by
John Cooke, m.a., Fellow.
Barnard, Robert, f.s.a., 3, Hillsborough, Plymouth ; proposed by Robert Cochrane,
f.s.a., m.r.i.a., Hon. General Secretary.
Carmody, Rev. Samuel, k.a., Craigs, Co. Antrim: proposed by the Rev. W. P.
Carmody, b.a.
•Chestnutt, Miss Margaret, Finnart, Antrim-road, Belfast : proposed by John Chest-
nutt, b.a., l.r.c.p.&s., Fellow.
Cuthbert, David, Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry: proposed by P. J. Lynch, m.r.i.a.i.,
Fellow.
Doherty, Rev. William, c.c, St. Columba's Presbytery, Derry : proposed by W. J.
Browne, m.a., m.r.i.a., Fellow.
Doyle, Edward, Charleville Lodge, Cabra, Dublin: proposed by Arthur Hade, c.e.
Fraser, William, Downshire-road, Newry : proposed by S. F. Milligan, m.r.i.a.,
Fellow.
352
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Gloster, Arthur B., n.A., D. Inspector, N. S., Education Office, Marlborough-street,
Dublin : proposed by A. P. Morgan, b.a.
Gordon, R. A., Ulster Bank, Ballymote: proposed by O'Meara Conyngham.
Griffith, John E., f.l.s., f.r.a.s., Bryn Dinas, Bangor, North Wales : proposed by
Robert Cochrane, f.s.a., m.r.i.a., Hon. General Secretary.
Griffith, Miss Lucy E., Glynmalden, Dolgelly, North "Wales, and Arianfryn, Bar-
mouth : proposed by Robert Cochrane, f.s.a., m.r.i.a.
Hackett, Rev. Frederick John, m.a., Kildollagh Rectory, Coleraine: proposed by
G. D. Burtchaell, m.a., m.r.i.a., Fellow.
Hall, Ernest Frederick, The Lodge, Westport : proposed by William E. Kelly,
Fellow.
Harington, A. H., m.a. (Oxon.), Moorock, Ballycumber, King's Co. : proposed by
the Rev. Sterling de Courcy Williams, m.a.
Kelly, Rev. James, c.c, Doonpark, Claddaduff, Clifden, Co. Galway: proposed by
Walter S. Wall, j.p.
Kelly, Thomas J., 37, Kildare-street, Dublin : proposed by D. J. O'Donoghue.
M'Enerney, Rev, Francis, c.c, Westland-row, Dublin : proposed by the Rev.
E. O'Leary, p.p.
Manning, John Butler, 134, Capel-street, Dublin: proposed by O'Meara Conyngham.
Morrogh, Henry H., 5, Charlemont-terrace, Cork : proposed by T. H. Mahony.
O'Malley, Arthur M., The Quay, Westport: proposed by William E. Kelly, j.p.,
Fellow.
Sutherland, William, Provincial Bank, Clogheen, Co. Tipperary : proposed by R. W.
Christie.
Wade, Thomas G„ Solicitor, 28, Upper Fitzwilliam -street, Dublin: proposed by
H. Hitchins.
White, John, Derrybawn, Bushey Park-road, Rath gar : proposed by John Cooke,
m.a., Fellow.
White, Miss Mary Butler, Sallypark, Templeogue : proposed by William C. Stubbs,
m.a.
The following Papers were read, and referred to the Council : —
" Minutes of the Presbytery of Laggan, 1672-1695," by the Rev. W. T. Latimer^
b.a., Fellow.
u Notes on the Palace, Library, and Observatory of Armagh," by John Ribton
Garstin, m.a., b.d., f.s.a., Vice-President R.I. A., Fellow.
The following Paper was taken as read, and referred to the
Council : —
" The Cistercian Abbey, Grey Abbey, Co. Down," by J. J. Phillips, c.e., Architect.
Mr. Eobert M. Young, m.a., m.r.i.a., Vice-President, proposed a
Eesolution to the effect " that the Society record its disapproval of the
manner in which the recent excavations at the Hill of Tara had been
carried out." He expressed regret at seeing the historic place interfered
with, and said that such work ought not to he undertaken except under
.the supervision of competent archaeologists, and subject to their advice.
Mr. John Moran, ll.d., seconded the Eesolution, which was put to the
meeting and passed.
The Society then adjourned.
PROCEEDINGS.
353
THE EXCURSIONS.
1 UESDA T, AUGUST 15, 1899.
After lunch the members started in carriages from the Imperial
Hotel, Donegall-place, for the " Giant's Ring" and Drumbo Round
Tower.
The " Giant's Ring."
This structure is one of the earthen forts which abound in this
country, and though not so large as the rath of Downpatrick, or so
high as the Eort of Dromore, it is of very considerable extent, and
measures about 580 feet in diameter. On plan it is circular, and the
surrounding earthwork is about 80 feet in breadth at base ; the fosse
is almost entirely filled up, and an enclosing wall has been built at
the base of the earthwork, by a former proprietor, to preserve the
structure.
Cromlech — " Giant's Ring."
The " Giant's Ring" is about four miles from Belfast, and the drive
is along a pleasant road skirting the valley of the river Lagan. There
is a large cromlech in the centre of the Ring, and this is one of the
few instances where sepulchral monuments are found inside the enclo-
sure of a fort presumably used as a fortified residential structure, and
354 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
possibly for religious or ceremonial uses. A question, however, may-
arise, as to whether the cromlech existed before the fort was erected.
There are authentic records of the dates of erection of forts, many of
which belong to a period prior to the beginning of the present era, but
there are no historical statements as to the time at which the cromlechs
were erected, — the presumed date of that at Ballina, county Mayo, is
based on unreliable evidence.
Map of the "Giant's Ring."
It is just possible that in the present case, owing to the large^ space
enclosed, there was room enough for the sepulchral chamber, and that it
was erected as the burial-place of a chieftain to whom the fort belonged.
In forts at Tara, and near Oldcastle, county Meath, where part was
used for a burial-mound, the space so occupied was cut off from the
residential portion of the fort.
PROCEEDINGS.
355
There are no historic records throwing any light on the date of
erection of either the fort or cromlech at the " Giant's Ring."
View on the Lagan, near the " Giant's Ring." (From Welsh's " Irish Views.")
In 1855 a sepulchral chamber was discovered in a field almost
adjoining the north side of the mound. It is described in . the Ulster
Journal of Archceology, vol. iii., p. 358. The chamber was underground,
Cromlech— " Gfant's^Ring." (From a Photograph by Mr. S. K. Kirker.)
356 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
and occupied a circular space of about 7 feet in diameter, and in it were
found urns of burnt clay of rude design, and filled with burnt bones.
The internal space was divided into smaller chambers, and some human
skulls were found separate from the other remains.
The present occupier states that in his time a great quantity of
bones have been found, not only in the enclosure, but also in the field
adjoining. The area enclosed was cultivated about twenty-five years
ago, when bones were still found, and a polished stone celt, about
4 inches long, was picked up, and is now to be seen at the farmhouse.
Dhtjmbo Round Tower, Co. Down.
The remains of this tower are in the graveyard attached to the
Presbyterian Church of Drumbo. The tower stands in the more ancient
part of the churchyard, and there are no traces of any other ancient
ecclesiastical remains near it at present, though some existed until
comparatively recent times.
The tower measures 51 feet 7 inches in circumference at the base,
the walls are 3 feet 7 inches in thickness, and the internal diameter is
10 feet, narrowing clown to 9 feet. The doorway is 4 feet above the
present ground level, is 5 feet 6 inches in height, with sloping jambs,
21^ inches wide at base, and 19^ inches wide at top ; it is square-headed,
and covered with a flat lintel.
The doorway has all the quoins and the lintel worked to the curve
of the circle; the head, or lintel, is within 15 inches of the full thick-
ness of the wall ; the sill is not dressed inside to the radius of the curve,
but stands out square with the jambs of the door. Some of the stones
of the doorway are of large size, one to the left measuring 2 feet 8 inches
long by 15 inches high, and another stone is 3 feet 2 inches long by
11 inches high; the majority of the courses are 9 inches to 10^ inches
high, and some stones are only 1^ inches to 2^ inches thick.
The stone forming the masonry of the tower is a Silurian rock — the
clay slate of the locality — undressed and unsquared, but laid adroitly to
suit the curve of the circle. The courses of masonry are small and
irregular, many of the stones are split, and disintegration has set in,
owing to the bad weathering qualities of this kind of rock, which has a
tendency to develop " slaty cleavage."
The masonry in the interior is rough, especially the lower portion
PROCEEDINGS.
357
below the level of the doorway, and shows indications of having been
subjected to the action of fire, after which it appears to have been
pinned and spawled with smaller stones.
There are several courses of putlog holes in the interior, in which
beams were inserted to carry wooden floors. The first commences about
15 inches below the sill of the door, and the next is 5 feet 6 inches
Doorway — Round Tower of Druinbo.
(From a Photograph by Mr. S. K. Kirker. 1899.)
higher, with three other stages above. There are no windows in the-
portion now remaining. The illustration on next page, from a photo-
graph taken recently by Mr. Kirker, shows the tower as it now stands];
the double curve or batter observable is not part of the original design,
as the top portion has been rebuilt. A drawing taken fifty-six years
ago, and reproduced on p. 359, shows the broken condition of the top o
358 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
the tower, and the outward bulge therein observable was not wholly taken
down — hence the want of regularity in the upward slope of the tower.
There are many and frequent historical references to the ancient
ecclesiastical foundation of Drumbo ; and two church festivals are noted
The liouud Tower of Drumbo.
(From a Photograph by Mr. S. K. Kirker, 1899.)
in O'Clery's Calendar appertaining thereto, viz. July 24th, Lughaidh,
of Drumbo, and August 10th, Cumin, Abbot of Drumbo — but there are
no references to the tower until it is mentioned in the Ulster Visitation
Book as being in a ruinous condition in 1622. The interior was exca-
PROCEEDINGS.
359
vated in 1841, and a human skeleton, extended nearly east and west,
was found under a lime concrete floor, the head resting to the west.
There are notices of this tower in the Transactions of the Royal Irish
Academy, vol. xx., pages 89 and 398 ; also in the Ulster Journal of
Archaology, vol. iii., p. 110.
The Round Tower of Druinbo.
(From a Drawing made in 1843.)
On the return of the party to Belfast, Mr. R. Young, j.p., Rath-
varna, Antrim-road, courteously received and entertained the members
to afternoon tea, after which the Cave Hill was visited.
360 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16th, 1899.
At 10 o'clock, a.m., the members started from the Imperial Hotel,
and drove through the village of Dundonald to the Kempe Stone
Cromlech, and then through Newtownards, visiting the cromlech in
Mountstewart demesne, after which they visited Grey Abbey.
Gbey Abbey.1
Grey Abbey was founded in the year 1193 by Africa, daughter of
Godfred, King of Man, and wife of John de Courcy. She supplied it
with Cistercian monks from the Abbey of Holnicultrani, in Cumberland.
The Cronicon Mannice informs us that it was styled the Abbey of " Holy
Mary of the -Yoke of God" (Smictee Marice de Jug o Dei), and that the
foundress was buried in it. Her effigy of grey freestone was, up till
lately, in a recumbent posture in a niche of the chancel wall on the
gospel side of the altar ; and though removed from its original position,
it is still within the church, but much defaced. The Abbey was called
in Irish Monaster -Liath (pronounced Monasterlea) — the Grey Monastery ;
and, in English, Hore Abbey ; but its conventual title was De Jugo Dei.
As usual with monasteries of the Cistercians, Grey Abbey was erected
in a secluded spot, sheltered by well-wooded hills, aud watered by a
clear stream, and never-failing springs. This practice of building in
such localities was enjoined by their rule.
The cloister garth, or quadrangle, was oblong.
The church occupied the north side of this quadrangle, and consisted
of a nave, without aisles, 69 feet long and 24 feet 6 inches broad, with
two transepts, each of which was 24 feet 6 inches square, and each
terminating on the east side in two chapels, 11 feet 6 inches broad and
16 feet deep. These chapels were separated from each other by a wall,
from which sprang the stone arched barrel vaulting ; and each pair of
chapels had an external roofing over this vaulting, as is evidenced by a
stone string course which marks the line of roof on the north elevation.
The chancel, which was 24 feet 6 inches broad and 30 feet long, had
its eastern end square, the gable having a double tier of triplet windows
of 11 early pointed" form, with smaller windows at the top. The north
and south windows lighting the eastern arm of the church were origin-
ally of similar character and form, but at some subsequent date they
have had decorated stone tracery inserted on the outside. The chancel
arch and the south transept arch have fallen, but the choir arch and the
north transept arch still remain. The walls above these arches give
1 Abstract prepared by Mr. J. J. Phillips, Architect, for the Society's visit, from
a monograph published by him in a.d. 1874.
362 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
evidence of having been carried at least for one story above the roof of
the four arms of the crux. Probably there was a low lantern tower
here which was finished with a parapet.
The west doorway is a good specimen of early English work ; it has
no portico or narthex. This doorway, which had gone to ruin, was
repaired, in 1842, by Mr. Montgomery, who had the fragments collected
and rebuilt, as far as possible, in their original position, though the
centre is now somewhat distorted.
West Doorway of Grey Abbey.
Formerly a rood screen was drawn across the ', nave, about half way
up, from one side-wall to the other, on each side of which, in the part
cut off towards the west, was an altar. The piscina for the altar on the
south side of the door is still to be seen in the south side-wall of the
nave.
The choir arch, or that at the junction of the nave and transepts, is
perfect, because the arch had been walled up in 1626, when the nave
was used as a church, and the walling was only removed in 1842. All
PROCEEDINGS.
363
trace of the high altar is gone, but on the south side there are frag-
mentary remains of the sedilia and piscina, and on the north, or gospel
side, there are the remains of an arch in the position usually found over
the wall-tomb of the founder of the Abbey ; this is the spot, it is said,
which the recumbent figure of Lady de Courcy originally occupied.
The cloister door in the south transept is of early English character
externally, but internally it is covered by a low arch. In the middle of
the south wall of this transept are the remains of the stone newel
winding- stair, by which the monks descended for their midnight office
from the dormitories.
The eastern side of the quadrangle was bounded by the south
transept, and next by the
sacristy adjoining it on the
south side. This was a chamber
of 24 feet by 12 feet, of which
only the lower portion of the
walls remain. The chapter-
house comes next in order —
38 feet long and 28 feet
broad ; its axis lies east and
west, and is divided into three
alley s by two ranges of columns,
as a few of the base6* still
remaining show. Scattered
about are various sections of
clustered and circular columns,
with, one chastely moulded
capital — the best preserved
fragment of the Abbey — tes-
tifying to the superior decora-
tion of the chapter-house, Choir Arch, Grey Abbey,
which is indicated by the
ornamentation displayed on the bases of the columns and jambs of the
opening that gave access to the building from the cloister. It seems to have
been lighted with three windows on the east side, and one on the north.
The slype, or passage, occurs next in order. This was open at both
ends, and had a doorway leading into the adjoining monks' day -room.
It was 10 feet wide and 22 feet long, and served as a passage to the
graveyard, or, perhaps, to the Abbot's House, which was generally to
the east of this opening.
Continuing along the eastern boundary of the quadrangle, the next
apartment, which was 46 feet long and 21 feet wide, was the calefactory,
frater-room, or monks' day-room, which had, as. was usual, a single row
of columns with octagonal bases, but nothing remains by which we can
judge of the former appearance.
JOUR. R.S.A.I., VOL. IX., PT. III., OTH SER.
364
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
South of this was the gong, a narrow passage, close to which ran the
flushing sewer, emerging from a well-constructed arched tunnel, con-
nected, no doubt, with some well-supplied reservoir, and, by vulgar error,
supposed to connect with Black Abbey.
The dormitory extended over the calefactory, and usually over the
entire range of vaulted buildings as far as the south transept of the
church, where there was, as we mentioned already, a stairway leading
fi-om the dormitories.
At the south-east corner of the cloister garth are still to be seen a
few steps of the stair which led externally to the dormitories and to the
Grey Abbey — General View of Ruin.
scriptorium, where the monks wrote their beautiful manuscripts. This
was generally over the chapter -house, but as only a few feet of the walls
of the first story remain, scriptorium, dormitory, and infirmary have all
but disappeared.
The southern side of the garth, or quadrangle, was bounded by a
passage to some external yard ; by the kitchen, in which yet remains
the fireplace; and by the refectory, a stately hall, 71 feet long and
28 feet broad. In the west hall are the stone steps which led to the
pulpit, from which a monk read while his brethren were at their meals.
A triplet of early pointed windows, the central one of which is higher than
the others, gives a charming effect to the south gable of the refectory.
PROCEEDINGS.
365
The buttery, to the west of the refectory, occurs next, and last in order.
The jamb of the doorway from the cloister to this office, and the trace of
its roof on the west wall of the refectory, are the only evidences of its
existence.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17th, 1899.
The members left Belfast at 9.45 a.m., by the Great Northern
Railway, in a special carriage, arriving at Armagh at 1 1 a.m. The
party proceeded first to the Roman Catholic Cathedral, where they were
received by the Rev. Mr. Quin, and shown over the new Synod Hall
and Vestry. It was mentioned that the Pope had lately authorized the
canons to wear the same dress as those of St. John Lateran at Rome.
At the old Cathedral, in the absence of the Dean, the party was
received by the Rev. Chancellor Shaw-Hamilton, d.d., who also had the
crypt open for their inspection.
From the Cathedral the party proceeded to the Library, where they
were received by two of the Governors (Chancellor Dr. Shaw-Hamilton,
Mr. Garstin, f.s.a., v.p. e.i.a.), and by the Rev. C. Paris, Deputy
Librarian, who exhibited and described some of the principal contents,
including the collection of Ecclesiastical Bells and Antiquities presented
by G. Beresford, Esq. Several of the important manuscripts were laid
out for examination, including mediaeval registers of the See.
After lunch, at the Charlemont Arms Hotel, the members drove to
Navan Fort, or Emania, and afterwards to the site of the Battle of the
Yellow Ford. At the latter place the Rev. W. T. Latimer, b.a., read an
interesting Paper on the engagement (a.d. 1598) which was fought there,
and in which the English troops, under Bagenal, were defeated. The
text of this Paper will be printed later. For an account of Emania,
with illustrations, see the Journal of the Society for 1884, p. 409.
By invitation of the Most Rev. William Alexander, Lord Primate,
the Society visited the Palace, where they were received by the Primate,
who described the pictures. These were chiefly the gift of Primate
Robinson (Lord Rokeby), and include full-length portraits of several
of the English sovereigns, as well as the series of post-Reformation
Primates, commencing with Adam Loftus (temp. Elizabeth), of which
photographs had been shown by Mr. Garstin at the meeting the previous
evening in Belfast. All the pictures had lately been cleaned by
Mr. John Tracey in Dublin, whence they had only just returned.
The Palace chapel, with its fine carved oak fittings, recently
restored, was open for inspection.
Proceeding through the Palace grounds, the party drove to the Mall,
where some of the members paid a hasty visit to the interesting Museum
of the Philosophical Society.
366 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Time did not admit of a visit to the Observatory, though Dr. Dreyer,
the Astronomer, was, with Mr. Garstin, one of the Governors, prepared
to welcome the members.
Mr. and Mrs. H. Bruce Armstrong courteously received and enter-
tained the Society to afternoon tea at Dean's Hill. Miss Stronge,
of Tynan, had an interesting collection of antiquities there for the
members' inspection.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18*//, 1899.
The Excursion to-day was by the 7.45 a.m. train from Belfast, by
the Great Northern Railway, to Drogheda, and thence by carriages to
the Tumuli of Dowth and Newgrange, and on to Slane Abbey. The
members were met, and escorted to the top of the hill, by one of our
local members, the Rev. John Brady, Rector, who was the bearer of
an invitation from the Marchioness of Conyngham, for the party to
visit the Castle and grounds, which, however, time did not admit of.
The party returned by the south side of the Boyne, visiting Ross-
naree, Cormac's Grave, Hill and Church of Donore, and back to
Drogheda, where, after dinner, at the Central Hotel, the members
proceeded by rail to their respective destinations.
THE JOURNAL
OF
THE EOYAL SOCIETY OF ANT1QUABIES
OF IRELAND,
FOR THE YEAR 1899.
PAPERS AND PROCEEDINGS— PART IV. FOURTH QUARTER, 1899.
papers*
PREHISTORIC REMAINS IN THE BURREN, COUNTY CLARE.
BY T. J. WESTROPP, M.A., M.R.I.A., Fellow.
[Read June 15, 1898.]
Part II. — Kilcouney and the Eastern Valleys.
TT^ilcorney Parish is intersected by three valleys — Eanty, an extension
of Poulacarran, Glensleade, a small abrupt basin at the end of a
depression, and Kilcorney, a long irregular glen, bounded by picturesque
cliffs. The name has been retained unaltered since, at any rate, 1302.
"Windows, probably as old as the eleventh or twelfth centuries, remain in
its ancient church, one with a carved head in the style of that at Inchi-
cronan, but no records or traditions of its founder seem to exist. The
primitive structures appear to have hitherto attracted no attention,
though Kilcorney Cave, with its "outputs" of water, fish, and fairy
horses,1 has received notice since the middle of the last century.
Gough, in his edition of Camden's " Britannia," 1789, 2 after enume-
rating some of the plants of the district, describes Kilcorney as " a pretty
low valley entered at the east end. On the north side of a small plain
of an acre, under steep rugged cliffs, lies Kilcorran Cave, the mouth
level with the plain, about three feet diameter, part blocked up." " The
1 I have heard locally strange stories of the untameable recklessness and savage
temper of alleged descendants of the fairy horses.
2 Vol. iii., p. 579. He seems to have confused the points of the compass.
jouu. r.s. a.i. , vol. ix., pt. iv., 5th seh. 2 D
368
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
cave pours forth occasional deluges over the adjacent plain to a depth of
about twenty feet. Sometimes, once in a year or two, commonly three
or four times a year, preceded by a great noise as of falling water. It
flows with great rapidity for a day or two."1
Gough, however, mentions none of the antiquities, and, as he states
in another place2 " of the ancient cathairs we have now no remains but
the dims," his information must have been defective.
Of the forts, the Ordnance Survey Letters of 1839, and later writers,
give only a few names. Mr. J. Foote, of the Geological Survey (in a
letter to George V. Du Noyer, January 8th, 1862), wrote enthusiastically
of the ruins, but neither he nor Du Noyer published any description. *
He writes : — " There are no less than seven cromlechs, sixteen beautiful
stone forts, some having caves, and all walls of great thickness, an old
castle, and a stone cross. Here is ground for the antiquary ! The place
must have been creeping with druids. I never saw such beauties (of
cromlechs). Here is one (Poulnabrone) I sketched yesterday. The
end stone and some of the sides are down : the front stone 5 feet high
[he gives the top slab as measuring 9 feet north and south, 12 feet east
and west, with a slope to the S.S.W.]. All stand on little green mounds
of earth, surrounded by bare sheets of rock, and some slope to the east."
By a plan he shows that Ballymihil cromlech and the second at Berneens
were then still standing, and that the top slab still rested on the south
cromlech of Cragballyconoal. He locates the "stone cross" where
" monument " is marked on the Ordnance Survey map and where it
still remains.
The place has little or no history. Glensleade (^leana Slao&) ap-
pears in the 1380 rental and the 1569 map. In 1641, Caherconnell and
Poulanine were held by Donough O'Brien, Lysagh O'Loughlin, and
MacLoughlen Roe O'Cullinan : Ballymihil and Glensleade by William
O'Meylan and Teige O'Loughlen. After the war, several of the Hogans,
Coniyns, and Macnamaras were settled in the parish, and at a still later
period a branch of the Lysaghts (Gillisaghta) settled in the Kilcorney
Valley.
Kilcoeney Valley and Ridges (Ordnance Survey Map, Sheet ix.,
Nos. 2 and 3).
The Kilcorney Valley (save for its venerable church and the alleged
site of Kilcolmanvara) only possesses an earthen tumulus 53 feet in.
diameter and 9 feet high, with a slight bank round the top. It
lies to the south-west of the church, and commands a fine view of the
cave-pierced cliffs.
1 Gough cites Dr. Lucas in " Phil. Trans.," No. 456, p. 360.
2 "Britannia," iii., p. 483.
3 Du Noyer's " Sketches," R. S. A. I. Library, vol. xi., pp. 85, 87.
PREHISTORIC REMAINS IN THE BURREN, CO. CLARE. 369
The conspicuous cairn of Poulawack stands on the southern ridge
near Poulcaragharush. It is a shapely pile of flat stones, about 200
feet in girth and 12 feet high, in good preservation. A kerbing of
slabs set on edge girds its base ; and an attempt has been made to break
in on the northern side. The sea is visible from its summit ; this,
with the bright, fresh outlook, and its contiguity to Eanty, the probable
site of ancient fairs, recalls the legend of Amalgaid,1 who "dug"
tumuli and made his cairn, " to make round it an annual meeting
place for the clan," " to watch there for his vessels," and eventually
to make it his resting-place. Gloom seldom surrounded the ancient
chieftain's grave ; it lay on a fair site, and was regarded as a place of
repose and comfort, so that a pagan king could sing : —
" My mound — my protection after parting with my army,
My pure, blight haven, my tomb, and my grave."2
From the west end of the valley, a long ascent through rocks covered
with mountain avens brings us to Lissylisheen Caher, a small ring wall,
8 feet thick. The gateway faces the east, has doorposts at the inner
corners, and is only 3 feet wide. The neighbouring castle still shows a
large well-built rectangular court and a lofty block of masonry. Prom
its grassy summit, on a clear day, we get a most extensive view : the
huge peaks of the Galtees and Mount Brandon rise to the far south,
more than sixty miles away. A pretty range of cliffs stand out against
their belt of foam in Liscannor Bay ; behind us rise the great hills of
Slieve Elva and Northern Burren ; the church and forts of Noughaval,
down the slope, seem very near ; and Cahermacnaughten3 lies about a
mile to the north.
Batjr. — On the north cliffs of Kilcorney two cromlechs lie among
heathy tussocks in the townlands of Batjr, beside the steep road leading
Plan and Elevation of Cromlech, Baur South.
to Glensleade. Neither of these are marked4 even on the new Survey. The
1 " Dindsenchas" {Revue Celtique), 189, p. 141.
2 Verse attributed to Art Aeinfer, Proc. R. I. A., 3 Ser., vol. iii., p. 535.
3 Journal E.S.A.L, 1897, p. 120.
4 Unless a slight oblong at the wall be intended for the northern dolmen.
2 D 2
370 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
one stands in the west boundary wall of Batik North and was once
a noble specimen ; but its cracked blocks bear marks of fire.1 The top
has collapsed, and only the south side is fairly perfect, being 16 feet
3 inches by 5 feet 10 inches. The upper edge was hammer-dressed.
The cist tapers eastward from 9 feet to 5 feet 9 inches, and had
low stones at the west ends, as at Tobergrania, &c. The other crom-
lech lies in Batje South, in the S. W. corner of the field marked
12*543 on Sheet ix. 3 of the new Survey : it is a very perfect little cist,
covered with a low mound. The dimensions are given in the plan. It
is noteworthy for having an internal cist, 3 feet from the west end,
and about a foot lower than the outer box. A somewhat similar arrange-
ment existed in the huge cromlech of Derrymore, near O'Callaghan's
Mills in this county, and other internal cists were found by Mr. Borlase
at Tregaseal in Cornwall, where a layer of charcoal, human bones, and
broken pottery lay on the ground, and little heaps of bones on the shelf.
Several such' cists occur in the dolmen of Karleby in Sweden, and con-
tained crouching skeletons.2 The Baur cromlech, however, has long been
open and a shelter for goats. There were, at least, five defaced cairns
along the edges of Baur and Poulnaskagh, and one near the end of that
deep gully occupied by the old glebe of Kilcorney. They average about
20 feet across, and are seldom more than 4 feet high.
Caheellscolmanvaea lies in Poulnaskagh ; its wall is levelled to
within 2 feet of the field. The descent to the valley near this fort
has three waterworn loaf-shaped rocks, about 8 feet high, across its
pass. East of this, on the ridge near Caherconnell, are three very
defaced cahers in Poulanine. Caheelisnanboum, on the cliff edge, is of
good masonry, and has long lintel blocks and a side enclosure ; its name
(like that of Ltsnaneotjal3 on the southern hill near the road to Noughaval)
is said to have been derived from the " drum " or long ridge on which
the cahers stand.
Eanty Valley (Ordnance Survey Map, Sheet ix., No. 4).
From the ridge of Poulcaragharush, we look over a square valley.
To our left lies the large fort of Caherconnell, to our right that of
Cahergrillaun, and, far away to the north, shines the white cromlech of
Cragballyconoal. The valley, with its north-eastern slopes, is mainly
occupied by the four townlands of Eanty, Eantymore, Eanty beg North, and
Eantybeg South, the Eanaghbeg of 1380. They seem, from the name, to
have been the site of some important fair in early times, and retained the
1 See "Dolmens of Ireland," vol. i., p. 74, for fires lit on cromlechs in Sligo on
June 23rd, and in Spain on April 30th.
2 The interesting dolmen at Derrymore is not on the maps, and was only recently
pointed out to me by Mrs. Gore of that place. For others, see " Dolmens of
Ireland," vol. ii., p. 442, and M. Du Chaillu's "Viking Age," vol. i., p. 75, and
"Ancient Swedish Civilisation," by Dr. Montelius, p. 35, figures 35 and 36.
3 A very email and featureless angular enclosure.
PREHISTORIC REMAINS IN THE BURREN, CO. CLARE. 371
older name, " Enogh," even in the Books of Petty's Survey, 1655, in
which we find 1 " Enogh " as containing a number of sub-denominations.
Among these we find the fort names, Lissananamagh, Moher O'Loughlin,
Drumliseenysiyack (Drum Liseeniska), and Lisnagleyragh, one of the
other divisions being Enoghbane.
A precipitous gorge cuts into the northern hill ; at its mouth is a
small lake, while two forts stand one on either side. That to the west
(1) is called from the
pool Caherlisanisea ;
that on the eastern
bluff (2) is called from
some haunting spirit
CAHERLISANANIMA.
Neither calls for
much notice ; they are
small and oval, about
87 by 50 feet, the
western being much
gapped. A larger
stone enclosure (3),
diamond - shaped in
plan, and (4) a small
oval fort, both greatly
gapped, lie near the Carran road in Eantymore. Two more (5 and 6),
one a fairly square fort, 110 feet across, the other oval, and both nearly
levelled, lie east of the bohereen from Moheramoylan. Near these forts,
in Eantybeg North, is a slight little ring-wall (7), called, like its neigh-
bour, Lisananima. Its walls are only 5 feet high and thick, of thin
slabs and poorly built. The gateway is perfect, and faces S.E., being
5 feet 6 inches high, with inclined jambs, and from 3 feet 10 inches to
3 feet 6 inches wide : the lintel measures 6 feet 9 inches by 2 feet.
The neighbouring farmers deny that any " spirit " has ever been seen
•in it ; so its name was possibly transferred from the lower fort.
The Ridge above Glensleade (Sheet v., No. 16).
Cragballyconoal. — We leave Lisaniska, ascend the stony pastures,
cross the bohereen from Caherconnell to Poulaphuca, and enter this
townland. Though it is in Oughtmama Parish, it so closely adjoins
and is so nearly surrounded by the forts of Kilcorney, while so many
miles of mountains, nearly devoid of antiquities, lie to the east,
that we must describe its forts along with those of Ballymihil. It
appears as part of Oughtmama in Petty's map of 1686 ; but the name is
not given.
1 " Book of Distribution," vol. ii., p. 68 (Clare). It is regretable that the new
Ordnance Survey has systematically omitted numbers of most interesting field and hill
names, in many of which alone the older townland names survive.
372 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
The ridge is about 700 feet above the sea. It slopes southward to
Eanty, and falls westward in steep bluffs into Poulgorm. Eastward
extends a bleak and featureless plateau to the valleys of Turlough and
Rannagh. Nearly all the forts are small, oval, of light masonry, and
nearly broken down to within 3 to 5 feet of the ground.
An ancient disused road runs along the ridge in a nearly straight
line, north and south, from Ballymihil cromlech to Lisananima : this
forms the bounds of the parishes and townlands for most of its course.
In Cragballyconoal, on the very bounds of Ballymihil, we find (1) a
cromlech in a green mound; the top has been removed since 1862; the
sides are about 6 feet high to the west ; the top edges have been hammer-
dressed ; they slope towards the east, and, being coated with white lichen,
form a conspicuous object across the valley.1 (2) A circular stone
fort lies behind the Mackies' house, lately the scene of a night attack ;
the southern segment has been destroyed, and the house built on its
13/0 >
1
io - v
3 \%V
The Southern and Northern Cromlechs, Craghallyconoal.
site and with the material ; the rest is mostly about 8 feet high, and a
souterrain forms an S-curve under the wall. This "cave" is of the
usual type, with side walls 3 feet apart, and roof slabs level with the
ground. (3) Northwards lies a larger fort, D -shaped in plan, with the
straight side to the south. It measures 120 feet internally, and contains
a defaced circular cloghaun in the centre of the garth and measuring
12 feet internally, and a straight souterrain, 3 feet wide, leading
under the wall. The gateway faced S.S.E., and had three lintels, 7 feet
3 inches, 7 feet 4 inches, and 9 feet long, and from 3 feet to 2 feet
broad, and 9 inches thick ; one side-post still stands, but the width of the
entrance cannot be accurately fixed. (4, 5, 6) Three nearly-levelled
cahers lie a short distance to the east. This close grouping recalls
the " grianans and palaces" outside the royal dun, or the groups of
"cahers, courts, and castles" seen by Ossian in Tir-na-nog.2 (7) A
1 The dimensions are fully given on the plan.
2 " Fenian Poems," Ossianic Society, iv., pp. 249 and 259.
PREHISTORIC REMAINS IN THE BURREN, CO. CLARE. 373
second cromlech lies in the remains of a mound on a heathy moor. It is
made of three very thin slabs, 3 inches thick, and scarcely 4 feet high ;
the ends are removed ; the dimensions are given on the plan ; it slopes
and narrows eastward. Near it, in Ballymihil, is a craggy field, set
with upraised slabs, small stone "piers," and heaps; a slab, rudely
shaped like a cross, is set in one wall ; another rude cross, of greater
size, lies southward down the slope. (8) Farther, to the N.E. of the
cromlech, is a small circular caher, 59 feet internally. The gateway faces
the south, and is 4 feet 6 inches wide, with two pillars on each side; the
lintels have been removed, and the wall is only 4 feet thick and high.
This fort commands, through a depression in the ridge, a striking view
of the summit of Turlough Hill, rising to the N.E. in three terraces, and
crowned with its conspicuous cairn — another instance of the sacrifice of
a more commanding site to a more attractive or extensive view.
Passing into Poulbaun (9) we find a caher on a rising ground, with a
fine outlook over Glensleade to the sea ; the Eound Castle of Doonagore
and the cliffs of Moher in the distance. The defaced gateway looks to
the S.W., and is 4 feet 10 inches wide, with parallel sides of coursed
masonry. The garth only contains a curved souterrain, 3 feet wide,
lying to the N.E. On the crags below it, lies a heap of large slabs
(10), most probably a fallen cromlech ; the top and largest slab measures
12 feet from east to west, and is 8 feet wide.
We now enter Ballymihil, and find a fallen cromlech (11) on the
bluff overhanging Poulgorm ; the top is 1 1 feet 6 inches long, tapering
eastward from 7 feet 7 inches to 6 feet, and 10 inches to 12 inches thick.
The sides lie under it where they fell, and a rude dry-stone pier has been
erected on the top to support a flag shaped like a round-headed cross, or
rude human figure. We could learn nothing of its age or object ; but a
somewhat similar, though smaller, slab lies in the cist at Coolnatullagh.
Southward lies a straight-walled garth (12), only 3 feet or 4 feet
high, enclosing a curious rock ; still farther south is a ring-wall (13),
quite levelled in parts, but with sections to the N.W. and S., still 9 feet
to 11 feet high; and, like Cahergrillaun, it shows smaller masonry on
top from about 8 feet above the ground. Near it is a circular modern
enclosure on the edge of the slope. In a valley far below the level of
the plateau, but still in Ballymihil, a small ring-wall (14) lies on a
projecting spur ; its wall is much gapped, and it only contains a modern
sheep-fold.
PouLAPHUCA. — Following the bohereen eastward from the Mackies'
house, we find, in a field at the highest point of Poulaphuca1 townland, a
1 It is noteworthy that the " pooka" on not a few occasions gives its name to sites
where prehistoric remains occur. We find in Clare, besides this dolmen, another at
Caherphuca, near Crusheen. In Kerry we find a Cloghaunaphuca, and even the
pooka's footmark, among the Fahan ruins. In Kilkenny "The pooka's grave," a
dolmen. In Cork Carrigaphucha, which Borlase says is a pillar near an encircled
cromlech. In Queen's County the "Dun of Clopoke." These show how widespread
was this association of the " pooka " with ancient remains.
374 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
fine cromlech. It forms a cist of four blocks, with a massive top slab,
10 feet by 6 feet, and 10 inches thick ; the interior is irregular, 8 feet
9 inches long, and tapers slightly eastward (4 feet 4 inches to 4 feet
1 inch). It stands
in the remains of
a cairn or mound.
A small over-
thrown cist, 3 ft.
square, lies in a
green mound, 30
feet north of the
large dolmen.
The site commands a very fine view up the Turlough valley i to
Belaclugga Creek, Galway Bay, and Corcomroe Abbey. Opposite lie
the dark Slieve Carn and the finely terraced, cairn-topped mountain over
Turlough. Near rise the dark and steep cliffs of Deelin, at the foot
of which lies a large and fairly perfect caher, also in Poulaphuca.
It is nearly circular ; much of the wall is standing to a height of from 6 to
9 ft. It seems to have traces of a terrace, but there are no other features.
The old road drops from near the cromlech in steep curves to the
pass from ftannagh to Turlough, one of the most beautiful glens of the
Burren.
Cromlech, Poulaplnica, from N.W.
*z£ezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
7' 2"
9'Z"
Mr.
10' z'
&ZZZZZZZZZZ7^///////^¥Z7>
NORTH SIDE.
Plan and Northern Elevation of Cromlech, Poulaphuca.
Descending from Cragballyconoal westward, by the very rough
bohereen, we pass three forts in Poulgorm. One is a ring-wall of
good masonry, over 9 feet thick ; the second lies a short distance to
the north, and is a straight-walled enclosure ; the third is a small fort
named Lishagaun. "We then see before us a massive caher (which was
seen first from Poulcaragharush) on the opposite ridge, though overhung
by greater heights, between the valleys of Eanty and Kilcorney.
Cahekconnell (Sheet ix., No. 4) is a large and perfect fort, 140 feet
to 143 feet in external diameter, nearly circular in plan, and girt by a
wall with two faces and large filling ; it is 12 feet thick, and from 6 feet
1 This valley is so denuded of antiquities that, though I have examined it, I must
entirely omit it from this Paper. I also reserve the Finnevarra group of forts to a
later occasion.
PREHISTORIC REMAINS IN THE BURREN, CO. CLARE.
375
to 14 feet high, being most perfect towards the west. The masonry-
consists of fairly large blocks, many 3 feet long and 2 feet 6 inches high,,
with spawls in the crevices, and
a batter of 1 in 5. The inner
face is nearly perfect, and had
neither steps nor terraces. The
gateway faced the east ; it was
5 feet 8 inches wide, and had
external side-posts. The garth is
divided by a long wall running
north-west and south-east ; at
its northern end are two house-
sites, one 30 feet long, and at its
southern an enclosed hollow, pos-
sibly a hut or souterrain. The
names Caherconnell and Caher-
maconnella (Cahermacnole) sug-
gest the Ardcoimell and Ard-
micconnail of the " Book of pian of Caherconnell.
Eights," which appear with names
of other places in this district.1 Perhaps we may also connect it with
the legendary Connal, son of Aenghus, of Dun Aenghus ; but, like most
other early names and legends in Eurren, the subject is too misty
to justify any positive statement or even a strong theory.
50 f:
Glensleade (Sheet v., Nos. 15 & 16 ; Sheet ix., No. 4).
Potjlnabkone (Sheet ix., No. 4). — In a rocky field lying east of the
main road is a beautiful cromlech (vide p. 378, plan, 376), noteworthy for
the airy poise of its great top slab, which, contrary to the usual practice,
slopes towards the west. This measures 13 feet long, from 6 feet to 10
feet wide, and a foot thick, and rests on three stones 5 to 7 feet high,
the others having fallen. The structure forms a chamber, 9 feet 3 inches
long, tapering eastwards from 4 feet 3 inches to 3 feet 9 inches inter-
nally ; it stands in the remains of a mound, and is unaltered since 1862.
Not far north from this cromlech there is a long grassy glen very
suggestive of a river-bed, and running back into the plateau under the
ridge of Cragballyconoal from near the grassy mound and fragments of
wall which mark the O'Loughlin's castle in Glensleade. If we follow
up this glen by a painful walk along very broken crags, full of avens,
gentians, and long hartstongue ferns, we pass a well-built, small, and
low ring wall, about 60 feet in diameter; it lies on the north crags,
and the adjoining enclosures are all modern. We then come in sight of
1 See, however, a note by Mr. P. Lynch, in the Journal U.S.A. I., 1892, p. 80.
Plan of Poulnabrone Cromlech.
Plan of Caheicashlaun.
Souterrain in Cahercashlaun.
PREHISTORIC REMAINS IN THE BURREN, CO. CLARE. 377
two lofty knolls, crowned with cliff forts, and forming a striking view
as seen from the glen.
Cahercashlatjn (Sheet v., No. 16) in Poulnabrone is a natural tower
of regularly stratified limestone rounded to the west, and falling in
jagged cliffs towards the north-east. This rock rises 70 to 100 feet from
the glen in even a bolder mass than does Cashlaun Gar.1 The top is
roughly oval, and is girt by a dry-stone wall, 4 to 5 feet thick, and at
the most 6 feet high, most of it being nearly levelled, and clinging to
the very edge of the crags with needless care. The garth measures
internally 152 feet east and west, and 75 feet north and south; -and
Cliff Fort of Cahercashlaun, from the north.
contains a souterrain 80 feet from the west. This cave is formed out of
a cleft about 7 feet deep, 27 feet long, and 4 to 6 feet wide; five long roof-
slabs remain over the middle. The gap of the ruined eastern gateway
leads down into a second and lower enclosure,2 surrounded by a coarsely
built wall of much larger blocks than the upper fort, many being 5 and
6 feet long ; in parts the wall is 5 and 6 feet high. The enclosure is
70 feet deep, making the entire length of the fort 240 feet from east to
1 Our Journal, 1896, p. 152. Such rocks are sometimes called <: doonaun " hy the
peasantry.
2 These outworks occurred in ancient Gaulish forts : for example, the dry-stone
rampart made hy order of Vercingetorix, on the hill slope of Alesia, " maceriam sex
in altitudinem pedum preduxerant" ("De Bello Gallico," vii., c. 69), and the great
fort of the Beuvray, near Autun (" The Mount and City of Autun," Hamerton, p. 64).
378
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
west. The entrance was through a regular cleft, sloping upwards
through the crag-ledge ; it was about 4 feet wide, and roofed by lintels,
now fallen ; it must have resembled the cleft under Carran cliff fort.1
This second wall was intended to protect the only easy ascent, and
resembles one I recently found hidden in hazel scrub on the north slope
of the knoll of the similar, though more massive, Cashlaun Gar.
Poulgorm Cliff Poet. — On the opposite cliff overlooking, and about
300 feet to the S.W. of Cahercashlaun, is a rude ring-wall 60 feet
across ; it has a side enclosure, and has been much rebuilt, and used as a
fold.
Caheenamweela. — This fort, and the large enclosure near it, seem
also to be called Cahernancbwee. It is a ring of good masonry, 50 feet
Poulnabrone Cromlech., from the east.
internally, 5 feet thick, and at most 6 feet high. The nearly levelled
gateway faced S.S.E., and is 3 feet 4 inches wide ; the sides are
parallel, made of large blocks running the whole depth of the wall. The
mossy garth only contains a hut-foundation near the gateway. The site
is overlooked by a ridge scarcely 50 feet away, and slopes abruptly to
the east and south. There is a side enclosure to the S.W. at a lower
level, but joining the caher wall.
Enclosure. — About 300 feet to the N.W., on the summit of the
ridge, is an old enclosure. It is a most disappointing object, seeming to
be high and large and imposing, especially as seen from Caheranardurrish.
1 Journal, E.8.A.I., 1898, illustration facing p. 364.
PREHISTORIC REMAINS IN THE BURREN, CO. CLARE. 379
It is actually a rough wall, 3 feet thick and 7 feet high, enclosing an
irregular space 110 feet across. There are no foundations in the garth,
and it was probably a mediaeval bawn.
Going westward by a difficult way across waterworn and loose crags
(full of fossil corals) and a level-floored depression, we ascend the
opposite ridge, and find two other cahers.
Caheranardurrish (Sheet v., No. 15). — The eastern fort of the
name (the other lies on the crest of the hill-road behind Eathborney
Church) stands on a knoll above the deep basin-like hollow of Glensleade,
some distance to the N."W. of the castle. Though surrounded by crags,
there is abuudance of coarse rich grass both in and around its wall. The
Gateway, Caheranardurrish Fort.
name is taken from the gateway which faces E.S.E., and is very perfect;
it has sloping jambs, and is from 4 feet 10 inches to 4 feet 7 inches wide,
and only 5 feet 3 inches high. As there is very little fallen rubbish, it
suggests either that "Fort of the high door" is an archaic sarcasm, or
that high doors were rare in ancient Burren. The gateway has three
lintels ; the middle has slipped, and the outer measures 8 feet 2 inches
by 1 foot 6 inches by 9 inches ; it has two long slabs above it to spread
the weight of the upper wall. The fort is oval, from 110 feet to 116 feet
internally ; the wall 7 or 8 feet thick, and 5 feet to 8 feet high, of good
long-stoned masonry.
In the centre of the garth used to be a heap of stones suggestive of a
380 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
fallen clochan. This is now cleared away, and only a small cist remains,
3 feet wide, and at least 9 feet long, with a partition of slabs in the
middle. This may have been one of those strange little slab enclosures
to be seen in the floors of several Irish and Welsh forts and Scotch
broehs. The filling of the wall has been much dug up by seekers after
imaginary treasures, or more practicable rabbits. Unfortunately such
gold dreamers abound ; all agree that nothing but a few coins of the
" cross silver " have ever been found (and that very rarely) ; but these
discouraging " modern instances " never save our venerable buildings
from these foolish and destructive attempts to discover fairy gold. Even
in the last three years the right jamb of the gateway of this caher has
been tampered with, and the pier is in considerable jeopardy.
On the south slope of the knoll is a very small circular fort 47 feet
internally, with walls 5 feet thick, and barely 3 feet or 4 feet high ; the
gateway faced the south. A well-built bawn, lined on the inside with
upturned slabs, runs down the slope near this little ring-wall.
Ratheorney Group (Sheet v., Nos. 7, 11, 12).
Part of this parish extends up to the central plateau ; therefore we
must briefly note its forts and cromlechs.
Garracloon has two old enclosures, fairly built, but much broken. A
third, farther eastward, somewhat D-shaped in plnn, bears the townland's
name. Lisgoogan, the leppa^uagain of the 1390 rental, contains a
square caher about 100 feet across with traces of an irregular, somewhat
circular outer ring, 260 feet in diameter, to the west of the main road.
The survey of 1655 names two cahers,1 Kaheriskebohell and Kaherbally-
ungane, or Kaherballyvanghane, lying between Lisgoogan and Caher-
wooly (Caherodouloughta, near Cahermacnaughten), these I cannot
localise unless they be the forts at Doonyvardan. Berneens is a long,
straggling townland. It has a cromlech at its western end on the
summit of the hill, and another on the hillside near the Gleninshen
group, described below : a very dilapidated little ring-wall, less than
50 feet in diameter, on its southern edge is called Caherberneen. Glen-
inshen, a bare craggy upland, with no trace of the ash trees which gave
it its name, has the remains of a small well-built circular caher in the
fields close to Caheranardurrish. There are five other forts : two circular,
two rudely square in plan, the southern being Gleninshen caher ; the
fifth, much rebuilt for a sheep-fold, lies near the southern cromlech.
In the western portion, close to the main road, are two cromlechs ; the first
is nearly perfect, and has been described and figured by Mr. W. Borlase
under the name of Berneens.2 His description is, as usual, very
1 " Book of Distribution and Survey, Co. Clare," vol. i., p. 474.
2 " Dolmens of Ireland," vol. i., p. 66. The Gleninshen dolmen was not marked
on the 1839 map, so I in R. S.A.I. Journal, 1894, identified it as the Berneen
Cromlech, and was followed by Mr. Borlase.
PREHISTORIC REMAINS IN THE BURREN, CO. CLARE. 381
accurate. " This dolmen lies E.N.E. and W.S.W. The roofing stone
measures 10 feet 11 inches long, and 7 feet 6 inches broad. The sides
are respectively, 11 feet 5 inches and 11 feet long." It tapers from
4 feet 5 inches to 3 feet 2 inches, and was surrounded by a small cairn.
The initials " J. O'D." are cut on one of its slabs, but we can scarcely
attribute them to our great Irish scholar, though he and Eugene
0' Curry carefully examined the district. Of the second only the ends
and south side rise above the avens and cranesbills. The side measures
13 feet 6 inches by 4 feet 3 inches by 10 inches ; the ends show that the cist
tapered eastward from 5 feet 2 inches to 4 feet 4 inches : it was perfect
in 1862. A third cromlech lies U'.U.E. from, and in line with the two
last up the slope of the hill in Berneens. Its south side has collapsed
since 1862; it is otherwise fairly complete. A more desolate region
than exists to the east of these remains is hard to imagine. " Silence
broods over the dead grey land " ; and the absence of all antiquities show
that its loneliness is of no modern growth. The lines of habitation and
traffic across these uplands seem always to have been the same, namely
from Belaclugga to Turlough and Tullycommane, from Glensleade to
Lemeneagh, and from Cahermacnaughten to Ballykinvarga, all three
meeting the road from Kilfenora, which ran eastward to the " Boherna-
micrigh," " the stone road," which led to the ford of Corofin, the pass to
central Thomond.
Eastern" Valleys (Sheet vi.).
Very few prehistoric remains of interest lie east of the central plateau.
The caher of Turlotjgh, "uaiiiainn na Guplai^e," has been destroyed
since before 1839. There are several noteworthy cairns. Carnbower on
top of, and giving its name to Slieve Carran, stands 1075 feet above the
sea and is of considerable size. Two others are nameless, and stand on
Turlough and Knockycallanan mountain ; one is on the summit,1 945 feet
above the sea. "We have already noted Cappaghkennedy cairn,2 with its
fine neighbouring cromlech. Not far behind the darkly picturesque glen,
bearing the unmelodious name of Clab (" clob " as pronounced), on top
of Gortaclare Hill (907 feet) is a spot called Creganaonaigh, the site of
some ancient " fair " marked by several small circles of stones. Mr.
Borlase states that there was a tradition of a battle fought on the hill
top.3 But I could get no definite information about the site.
Eannagh East and Coolnattjllagke have three small cromlechs. The
former townland contains two of these. One has fallen ; it lay in a field
below the highest turn of the Castletown-road, and is not marked on
the new maps. It was a cist, 4 feet 6 inches wide at the west end,
and 6 feet 3 inches long internally ; it seems to have tapered to 3 feet
6 inches, and the south side was 8 feet 6 inches. long.
1 See illustration of Poulaphuca cromlech, supra, p. 374.
2 Journal, 1896, p. 364 ; Borlase's " Dolmens of Ireland," vol. i., p. 73.
3 " Dolmens of Ireland," p. 809.
382 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
The perfect cromlech lies further to the north-east beyond a low
rocky valley. It is a small cist, nearly buried in the ground. The north
and south slabs (respecti-
vely 9 feet and 9 feet 9
inches long) support an
irregular top block. The
chamber tapers from 3 feet
3 inches to 2 feet 3 inches.
Coolnatullagh cist was
recently found by Dr. G.
Macnamara; it lies half
a mile east of the "kill," or old burial-place of Kilnatullagh, near
the corner of a regular oblong plateau overlooking the valley from
Coskeam to Castletown. It is a small cist of thin slabs ; in it stands a
curious little stone, shaped like a rough cross. There are remains of a
grass-grown cairn in this townland, perhaps the " tullagh " which gave
it its name. A caher stood on the hill of Coskeam ; but it appears to be
nearly levelled. The peaks of this hill are called Doonmore and Doonbeg.
To sum up, the few forts in the valleys from Turlough and Sladdoo to
Kinallia and Glencolumbcille are small, and defaced past all description.
Cromlech, Coolnatullagh, from N.E
9"
7" _
— "5FT W
Plan of Coolnatullagh Cromlech.
This Paper being confined to the third section of the district (the
eastern and central ridges of Burren), leaves the forts of Bally vaughan and
Lisdoonvarna for another occasion. The interesting character of the
hitherto undescribed uplands about Carran and the damage done to their
antiquities in the last twenty years rendered it necessary to secure as far
possible a permanent record of "the waste dwellings and desolations of
many generations " for future scholars who may hereafter find so much
PREHISTORIC REMAINS IN THE BURREN, CO. CLARE. 383
to censure in the apathy and destructiveness of the vast majority of the
present occupants of ancient Burren.1
Additions and Corrections.
Forts in Clare. — The total number is about 2300. Of these over
300 are in Burren, and about 200 each in Corcomroe and Inchiquin.
Casht.atjn Gar {Journal, R.S.A.I, 1896, p. 152).— I have since found
the foundations of an outer enclosure of massive blocks, often 5 to 7 feet
long, overgrown with hazel bushes, on the northern flank of the knoll.
Cahercommane {Ibid., p. 156). — The "Book of Distribution" (1655),
p. 520, mentions Tullycommon, " whose meares cannot be shown."
Gleacrane (Glencurraun),Leahesse (Lisheen), Slewbegg,Lisheenageeragh,
Dullisheen, Cahercomaine, alias Lysidlyane, stony pasture. Creevagh is
described as covered with dwarf wood (p. 442).
Teeskagh {Ibid., p. 365). — There is a large cairn in the deep gorge
near the waterfall of the " Seven streams."
Cahermore Glenquin {Ibid., p. 365), " Caherwoughtereen or Caher-
ougherliimy " (einny ?) in " Book of Distribution," p. 512.
Mullach {Ibid., p. 367). — " The defaced sets of steps " are more
likely recesses for ladders.
Cahkrmore Eoughan {Ibid., p. 367). — Some remains, apparently of a
gateway, facing the east, and 3 feet wide, exist in a brake of bramble.
Mr. George Fitz Gerald, some years ago, found a cist of four stones and a
top slab to the S.E. in the adjoining field. The remains of two skeletons,
laid with the legs to the east, were found, and replaced under the belief
that the cist was a Christian burial-place. The top slab is visible, and
being only 5 feet 4 inches by 3 feet 3 inches, suggests that the bodies
were not in an extended position.
Cahercuttine {Ibid., 1897, pp. 117, 118). — Two flights of five and four
steps remain nearly hidden by grass and weeds to the E.S.E and N."W.
by JS". They are similar to the third southern flight, and lead upwards
from the plinth or narrow platform. The fort name appears as Cahir-
gotten or Cahirnegotten in the Patent of Donough, Earl of Thomond,
1612.
1 In Carran about 67 forts and 8 cromlechs remain. In Kilcorney about 28 forts and
4 cromlechs. On Rathborney border, 11 forts and 4 cromlechs. Cragballyconoal
and Poulaphuca, 11 forts and 4 cromlechs. Parknabinnia and Glasgeiynagh, 17 forts
and 16 cromlechs — in all about 134 forts and 36 cromlechs, 5 gallans, and uncounted
cairns. The " Dolmens of Ireland" having omitted to give plans and descriptions of
so many of the cromlechs in this district, I have felt it to be all the more necessary to
supply the omission.
JOUK. U.S.A. I., VOL. IX., PT. IV., 5 th sek.
384 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Ballykinvarga {Ibid., p. 123). — The walls have several upright
joints. The old name seems to have been " Caher Loglin " in east
Ballykenuarga, "Book of Distribution," p. 189. Another fort in the
western division (now apparently incorporated with Caherminane) was
Caheryline, perhaps that described in our Journal. {Ibid., p. 125.)
Pakknabinnia {Ibid., 1898, p. 357, line 15), for "17 feet 10 inches,"
read "14 feet 10 inches."
{Ibid., p. 355, note 3, for " Slieve earn," read " Turlough cairn."
Moheramoylan {Ibid., p. 365), for " An oval caher," read " A defaced
caher, possibly the Moher O'Loughlin in Eanty (1655)."
One of the forts at the top of the map in same volume at p. 352 is
wrongly named " Caherahoon."
( 385 )
ON A HOLED CROSS AT M 0 ONE.
BY LORD WALTER FITZ GERALD, M.R.I.A.
[Communicated October 31, 1899.]
oone Abbey lies seven miles to the east of Athy, in the county
Kildare; the ancient form of the name was " Maein Choluim
Chille," meaning, according to O'Donovan, St. Columbkill's property.
The rains here are architecturally uninteresting ; but what makes
the place famous is the standing sculptured High Cross, which, in
an imperfect state, is illustrated in O'Neill's u Sculptured Crosses of
Ireland" (Plates 17 and 18).
Holed Cross at Moone.
Since the County Kildare Archaeological Society caused the'missing
portion of the shaft to be inserted in 1893, the cross is one of the most
perfect in Ireland, the roof-like capping-stone alone being wanting.
Lying in three fragments near the High Cross are portions of
another; these fragments consist of one arm, and parts of the shaft.
They belonged to a ringed cross, closely resembling in sculpture, the
2E 2
388 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
High Cross, though of much slighter dimensions, for instance, the
latter is about 12 inches thick at the shaft, and this fragmentary one
only 6 inches.
These fragments have been lying in their present position for many
years ; they were, I believe, discovered when a grave was being dug.
They are covered with strange symbolic animal subjects ; an animal in
one panel (the one apparently grazing with its tail over its back) being
identically the same as is carved on a panel of the High Cross ; other
panels contain 11 sea-horse-like " creatures with their tails inter-rolled.
The Holed Cress at Moone.
It was not until about the year 1897, when assisting Miss Margaret
Stokes in taking rubbings and the measurements of the two crosses,
that I discovered a very curious feature in the fragment of this one,
that was that the cross-head when entire had a large perforation through
the centre of it, around which perforation on one side three or four
snakes or serpents were originally coiled (as is shown in the accompany-
ing illustration on page 385).
As I do not know of another instance of a sculptured cross being
" holed" through the head in this manner, I believe this Moone cross to
be unique.
Miss Stokes in the last number of the " Journal of the County Kildare
Archaeological Society " (No. 1, vol. iii., page 33), has written a very
ON A HOLED CROSS AT MOONE.
389
interesting Paper on these fragments, in which she says that this is
" one of the most striking examples of the combination of pagan forms
with Christian that has been found in Ireland."
It has been suggested to me that, taking into consideration the
guarding of the central opening by serpents, and the possible repre-
sentations on the various panels of " Bulls with Human Faces," of
" Boars Fighting," of " Deer and Fawn," of a " Flying Dragon," and
of " Bacchus on a Panther," with the interrolling of fish under the
form of Hippocampi, it is not improbable that this cross is a remnant of
some local paganism of a type not obscurely alluded to by Miss Stokes,
in her Paper just quoted, in connexion with Phallic worship.
A cross inscribed on a monumental stone in St. Andrew's church-
yard in the Isle of Man is apparently of the same pattern as the one
here described. On the inscribed cross there are no quadrants : the
centre is represented as holed. On the long arm there is the outline of
a Serpent with interlaced coils. The Serpent's head is in the form of a
cross with short arms, and looking upwards towards the holed centre.
On the head is inscribed a sauvastiha {vide Paper by Canon ffrench, in
volume viii., 4th Ser., of this Journal, p. 438).
390 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
THE DRTJMLOGHAN OGAMS.
BY PRINCIPAL RHYS, LL.D., Hon. Fellow.
[Submitted November 28, 1899.]
IMTt first visit to the Drumloghan chamber, with its ten Ogam-inscribed
stones, took place on August 10, 1883, when I hurriedly copied
the inscriptions, so far as I could see or reach them. Last year Mrs. Rhys
and I went on August 25 to meet there, by appointment, Sir Thomas
Deane, and we examined the stones so far as we could ; but as no stone
was uncovered, our readings remained of necessity imperfect. This year
we agreed with Mr. Cochrane to meet there on August 8, and to have a
fuller examination made. With the assistance of the gentleman who has
recently purchased the farm to which the chamber belongs, the inscribed
ends of the stones were exposed by removing the earth which covered
them, so we were enabled to trace the whole of the reading left on
them ; for it is needless to say that about oiie-half of them have their
upper ends damaged or broken off. By their upper ends I mean those
ends which were uppermost when the stones stood in the burial-place
whence they were stolen to form supports and roofing slabs in the
chamber where they are now. Mr. Brash's visit took place on September
19, 1867 ; and he must have had the stones exposed to view, but to what
extent he had them shifted he does not say. Furthermore, I do not
know how often they have been exposed or shifted in the interval
between 1867 and 1898. It will be seen, however, as one goes on with
the examination of the inscriptions, that certain questions are found to
attach to these points ; but I leave them to be discussed by Mr. Cochrane
in his account of the site ; and I proceed to mention the stones in the
order in which Mr. Brash gives them. See his " Ogam-inscribed Monu-
ments of the Gaedhil," pp. 272-8, and plate xxxvi.
No. 1. This inscription was read by Mr. Brash as Manu Magu Nogati
Moce Mac Arb ; and I read it in 1883, Manumagunogatigah o
■vl mo qu
Macorbt, which was also my reading in 1898. But this time, after having
the end of the stone cleared of the earth covering it, one was able to fill
the lacuna ; and the whole runs thus : —
/, ,,,/.// //.Ill /.MM,,///// ■■■■■
/'nil r "/'//' i nil"// / /' "/////i
MA N UMAG UNO G A T I M O C O I MA C O R B I
To begin at the end ; the i of Macorhi cannot be traced with certainty,
as the edge is at that point somewhat damaged and uneven ; the name
THE DRUMLOGHAN OGAMS.
391
Macorbi occurs in several other inscriptions, but, unfortunately, not once
with the case vowel perfect. On the other hand, Corbi and Corbbi occur
perfect, so that there is hardly room for doubt as to the i of Macorbi. At
first sight the -/-**- (mo) looks like (go) ; but on closer inspection
one finds the second score deepened at the edge into a vowel-notch, which
is not in a line with that score. Acid to this that the latter is also not
parallel with the first long score, and that Brash gives no hint as to the
existence of the second long score. Can it be the result of accident since
the time when he copied the Ogam ? In this inscription the m's and g's
are nearly perpendicular to the edge, while the t and the c's slope in the
same direction as the r; and so does the b decidedly. The first c begins
so near the top of the stone that its first score crosses the corner to the
plane on which the remaining three scores lie on the top.
The difficulties of the reading are inconsiderable : not so those of the
language ; and the first question is, how Manumagunogati is to be
analysed. In trying to answer this, I am forced to give more than one
conjecture, but not without a hope that others may help me to the
interpretation to be preferred. Guided by the usual analogy of Celtic
proper names, I should first try Manumagu Nogati. In that case
Manumagu might be treated as beginning with manu, regarded either as
borrowed from the Latin manus, " hand," or inherited in common by
Latin and Goidelic. In Cormac's " Glossary," man is given as a word
for hand, and as making mane in the genitive, like such feminines as
mucc, " a swine," genitive muicce, and deug, 11 drink" genitive dige.
Then as to magu, we seem to have in this the Goidelic magus, whence
Irish had mug, " a slave or servant," genitive moga of the £7"- declension :
see Stokes's ' ' Urkeltischer Sprachschatz," p. 198, where he brings
together the Gaulish Magu-xix. and Magonius, given as one of St. Patrick's
names, and reduced in Welsh to Maun. Compare also the Welsh meu-
dwy, "a hermit," for an earlier magus devi, literally servus Dei, or Cele
Be, "a Culdee." Here, however, the sense of servant or slave is
perhaps only a sense superinduced on a word meaning boy or young
man : compare page from ttcuSiW. So we are not compelled to suppose
Manu-magu to have meant a slave or servant in manu, but rather a
handy young man, a stripling who is ingenious or powerful with his
hands. This would seem to require us to suppose Nogati, another name
or surname ; but I know of no such. : the nearest approach is Nocati on
a stone found in the parish of Knockane in Kerry, and now to be seen
in the National Museum in Dublin : provided Nocati was meant to be
pronounced Nochati, the spelling Nogati may be regarded as not im-
possible. Then comes the question of the syntactical relation between
Manumagu and Nogati. Now as mocoi is a genitive, so must also be
Nogati, and Manumagu might be expected to be likewise ; but a genitive
in u of the Z7"-declension is rather unusual. If, however, Manumagu and
Nogati represent one and the same man, the genitive is not obligatory :
392 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
it might suffice that the name stand in what is called the crude form.
There are instances of the kind, but one cannot convert their analogy
into a positive argument or dismiss all doubt as to the reality of a name
Nogati. So I would try another analysis, namely, into Manumaguno
Gati, and treat maguno as a derivative from magus, and synonymous
with it. Further, it might be the same word as St. Patrick's name
Ifagonus; for that is not always written Magonius, as will be seen on
consulting Stokes's "Patrick," p. 302, where Tirechan explains Ifagonus
as meaning clarus. On etymological grounds the correctness of that
interpretation may be doubted ; but the statement may be worth men-
tioning, that the name was given St. Patrick by Germanus. This leads
us back to Gaul, where there was in the time of the Roman domination
a god Apollo G r annus If ogounus: the inscription comes from Haut-Rhin :
see Rrambach, No. 1915. It has already been hinted that Maguno , geni-
tive of Ilagunu-s may have had the signification of boy or stripling ; and
one may here mention such designations of another Apollo as Deus Bonus
Puer Posphorus Apollo Pythius and Bonus Puer Posphorus or Bonus Deus
Puer Posphorus : see the Berlin "Corpus Inscrip.," vol. iii., Nos. 1130,
1132, 1133, 1136, 1137, 1138. I may be told that P(h)osphorus, "light
bringing," might be construed as countenancing Tirechan' s clarus ; but
where is there a word mag- or mog- referring to light ? The other name
Gati might be referred to the Irish word gat, later gad, " a withy or
•ozier," from a stem gazdo, whence also the German gerte, " a twig, rod,
staff." Our Gati might be the genitive of Gata-s or of a derivative Gatias ;
and as evidence of the existence of some such a form may be adduced
the diminutive Gatigni or Gattagn-i, which occurs in another inscription
found in the same county of Waterford, namely, at a place called
Windgap. Perhaps this is, on the whole, the more passable hypo-
thesis ; but others may try others, such as treating the initial ma as
equivalent to mo, "my," or dividing the line into Ifanuma Gunogati;
but I must confess that neither seems to me promising. It is clearly a
case where it would be safe to have the opinions of more than one man.
No. 2. This was read as follows by Mr. Brash : —
CALUNOFIQ
MAQI MUCOI LITOf.
When he saw the stone exposed, he found the writing on the upper
edges which had previously been covered with earth ; and that earth
appears to have been replaced without having the stone turned or
making the Ogams visible from the inside of the chamber. At all events
I came away in 1883 without a word about this inscription in my notes :
that may be merely an accident of my carelessness, but I am inclined to
believe that it is since then the stone was turned; for in 1898 most of
the Ogams were conspicuous enough to anyone looking for them inside,
THE DRUMLOGHAN OGAMS.
393
and we read what we could see, all on the lower edges of the stone, as
follows : —
CALUNOVU.
T
MAQUI MUCOI LIT.
When last summer we had the inscribed end exposed we were able
to read more as follows : —
MM Mil.
'II,"IMM"IM
CALTJ N OV I C A
QU I
/■Mill /■■■Mil Ml,,
/ / II Mil
M A QU IMTJCO I LI TOS
The first c slopes backwards ; otherwise the scoring is regular and clear
until you come to the two top corners. The one on the left hand has
been damaged since the Ogam was cut. The consonant near the corner
is c, not qu, I think : there is, it is true, a depression beyond the fourth
score, but there is no cutting so far as I could ascertain by feeling it
with my fingers, for one could not see quite so far. The vowel a is not
certain, as the possible notch there might be the beginning of a group ;
but I should guess that it was not so, partly because one would be
then getting rather too near the s of Litos. Partly, also, because
we know that the case ending should be as, liable to be reduced to a :
we have elsewhere the genitives Ercaviccas and Rittavvecas with this
element vie or vec in the second place. The other, the right-hand corner,
was damaged by natural causes before the Ogam was cut, so when the
inscriber had written Lito he found he had to finish by cutting s on the
top of the stone, for at the exact spot where he would have naturally
begun it, close to the corner, he found a somewhat deep chink or split :
he had therefore to cut the scores beyond it, so that the o and the s are
separated by more than the usual distance.
Now as to the names I have no explanation to offer of caluno, but as
to vic-a{s) it is possibly the word represented in Irish by fich, "battle
or fight." Then we come to Litos, which seems to be a simplified name
founded on Celtic compounds, like Litu-mara, Litu-gena, and kindred
forms in which litu is supposed to be the word which, in Irish, is lith, " a
festival or fete." In Welsh the word liti occurs in a compound litimaur
glossing the Latin frequens ; and it occurs in the " Book of Llan Dav,"
p. 120, twice in the form lytu, meaning a body of dependents. But to
return to the Irish lith, the same would be also the Irish form of the
nominative corresponding to Litos, namely, Lith. I have only been able
to find a single instance of it ; and one can easily imagine how a rare
name Lith may have been edited away into the better known common
noun lith, as is the case partly with the instance I allude to. It occurs
894 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
in the " Martyrology of Gorman, May 17," where we have Lith ingen
glan Garban—U Lith, Garban's pure daughter." But Stokes, in a note,
p. 404, suggests that it should be corrected into Lith ingen nglan nGar-
bain, and translated "the festival of Garban's pure daughters." This
conjecture is introduced by a reference to the " Martyrology of Tallaght,"
which he gives as having Ingena Garbain, " the daughters of Garbain."
With great diffidence, however, I should argue in the contrary direction,
and regard Gorman's verse as representing the more ancient version ; and
to corroborate this view, I would mention that the " Martyrology of
Donegal," as published, has simply Inghen Garbhain, " the daughter of
Garbhain." Here also it will be seen, that the rare proper name seems
to have created a difficulty; it was therefore dropped, but without
making " daughter " into "daughters." Should this conjecture recom-
mend itself, I should rejoice to have unearthed an ancestress to place by
the side of Dovinj.as of Corca-Duibhne or Corcaguiny. The inscription
consists of two lines, but the one on the left is probably to be taken first,
and the rendering of the whole would be — (Monumentum) Calunovicis
filii Generis Litus, " (the monument) of Calunovix, son of the Kin of
Litus or Lith."
]STo. 3. This stone was read thus by Mr. Brash: — On the left-hand
S A E TAD
and on the right
MA Q i x I
With regard to the foimer I cannot help thinking that he has made
a triple mistake : he has changed the place of the edges ; he has
put the consonants on the wrong side of the edge, and he has read them
upwards, instead of downwards, in continuation of the other edge. The
two first mistakes were the result of his having to lie on his back to
copy : I have found myself committing the same blunder more than once.
As to the third mistake, one would naturally read both lines in the same
direction, unless one had the philological knowledge necessary to prevent
one's doing so in a particular instance. That knowledge Mr. Brash did
not possess ; and I say this without in the least wishing to disparage the
great importance of the work which he had the courage to accomplish.
My reading of what I could see in 1883 was Maqui Ini ias ; and
the same in 1898. Last summer, however, when the stone was exposed,
we read thus : —
MA QUI IN IS TTEAS
? ?
That is, Maqui Inis tteas. With the exception that Brash has
THE DRUMLOGHAN OGAMS.
395
dropped an i in the manipulation of his notes, the scores and notches
Avhich he and I fixed on as the right reading will be seen to be the same
till we approach the broken end of the stone. After his last i there
are certainly two scores which would make I were it not that the stone
breaks off apparently in the midst of a group. I suggest s rather than v
or n, simply because the genitive Inissionas occurs elsewhere, and would,
so far as one can see, fit here, as nobody knows how much of the stone
has been broken off. Then as to the other corner Brash reads -^-ii, {ad),
where I prefer to think that there is a -W- (t) ; but in this I have probably
been influenced by having jumped to the conclusion that the last word
on the stone was matteas, the genitive of matti-s, 11 good," which becomes
in later Irish maith, for which Welsh has had mat, now mad, " good."
Mattias occurs elsewhere on one of the lioovesmore stones in the British
Museum, and ias and eas are alternative spellings of what was probably
pronounced ias in the genitive of words of the /-declension. With regard
to the reading I had till last summer thought that it was ias, but I am
now inclined to think that Brash was right in reading e rather than i.
Lastly, matteas may stand here as the latter part of a compound, or else
as a separate word ; but if Inissionas was the name meant and matteas
followed directly, we should have Maqui Inissionas Matteas, " (The monu-
ment) of the son of Inissiu the Good," unless one should rather treat
maqui Inissionas as the name of the man commemorated : it would then
be " (the Monument) of Maclnissen the Good."
]^o. 4. This was read by Mr. Brash as follows : —
CUNALEGEA MAQI C
ETAIDESKADC
QFECI
But here the middle line should have been read in continuation of the
first, and Brash's scoring would make slarceliave. In 1883 I could not
get at the first line at all, and the rest I read —
L (?) LAESELIVE.
G G
QVECIA
In this, I find, I put the scores for the consonants in sell on the wrong-
side, and in the case of one d, Mr. Brash had done the same : I have
already suggested the explanation. In 1898 we could read the three lines
except the end of the first, and except that the position was very awkward
for scrutinizing the writing. What we then made out was —
CUNALEGEA MAQUI .....
SALAEACELIA
VECAVEDDI
396
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Last summer, however, the light of day being let in, we were enabled
to read the whole with more certainty as follows : —
MM] // /,HII1,,,,,MM , , /////MIL,, .11,,,
"'Ml I I'M ""//"" '/' ' H ML.M7////
C V NALEGEAMAUU I C NALAR C ED
. ■ , , f M f i ,,..MM
That is, Cunalegea Maqui C . . . na Larcecli Ave Qvecia ; but I fear
I have hopelessly failed to indicate that the edge or ridge c is on a dif-
ferent level from the edges a and b : I should also explain that the Ogam
in winding its way from b to c follows a little broken ridge which con-
nects them. In most of the scores our reading, it will be seen, agrees
with that of Mr. Brash. Now with regard to the broken end of edge a,
we have there four scores which would make c ; but as the stone breaks
suddenly off, the original group may have consisted of five, which would
make qu ; and this raises the question as to the dimensions of the break-
age. Judging from the ordinary length of our Ogam inscriptions, and
considering that what we have here is longer than the average, I should
be disposed to think that only a portion of the proper name is missing.
We might in that case consider that it was a name beginning with C or
Qu, and ending its genitive with na or sa. As to the latter, Mr. Brash
found a consonant of four scores intact, and I read the same in 1898 and
the last time ; there is, however, nothing to show that the four did not
belong to an original group of five, that is n, and I give it the preference,
as genitives in n-a(s) are more common in Ogam inscriptions than in
s-a(s) ; and the chances as to the initial c are greatly against qu. So I
would suggest some such a name as Cunacena or Cunacenna as exactly
satisfying the case. The next word Larcedi I take to be an epithet, of
which more anon. Then we come to ave, where one would have expected
the genitive avi, but we fail to read more than four notches, which was
also Mr. Brash's reading. I can only suppose the inscriber to have for-
gotten that he should have gone on in the genitive, and to have relapsed
into the nominative ave, which has been found also in the case of the
Island Ogam. After ave we have a small breakage, which makes it some-
what uncertain whether one is to read Qvecia or Cvecia; but, on the
whole, I think it is the former; and so Brash read it. The five scores
are, I think, best transcribed as a rule by qu ; but here I take it that the
inscriber for some reason chose to give fuller expression to the sound of
that combination by writing it qv. Possibly the point was, that there
were by his time two pronunciations : one in which the u or v was
dropped, the one in fact which has triumphed, and another — the older
one — which gave utterance to both the q and the _ which followed it.
This is what his spelling may have meant after the example of Latin
THE DRUMLOGHAN OGAMS.
397
QV. In an instance from Kerry we have qo used, to wit, in the name
Veqoanai, genitive of a name well-known in later Irish as Fiachna.
Lastly, we read the name as Qvecia and not Qveci, as we thought we
detected an a after the i.
Curiously enough the Island Ogam has not only the form am but also
Cunalegi, the nominative with which the genitive Cunalegea in this
inscription goes : they stand respectively for earlier Cunalegi-s, Cuna-
legi-as. Larcedi I take to be genitive of the la declension ; and, by
analogy, the nominative should be Larcede, though in later Irish there
has been a tendency to make all the singular end in a ; so we have the
genitive of this word given as an independent name Larcada in the
" Book of Leinster," fo. 326^. It is possibly of the same origin as the
Mod. Irish lorga or lairge, 11 a leg or shank," so the derivative may have
meant, " legged, shanky," in the sense, let us say, of having long legs.
As to the name Qvecia, we have a related genitive in a Devonshire Ogam
inscription now in the British Museum, namely Quid, which was
probably masculine from a nominative Quica-s or Queca-s, while ours
stands for Qveei-a(s) from a nominative Qveci-s which might, as far as
its form is concerned, be either masculine or feminine ; so it is possible
that we have here another ancestress. According to these" conjectures
the whole might be rendered " (The monument) of Cunalegis, son of C.
of the Legs, descendant of Quecis."
No. 5. This was read by Mr. Brash, Igu Maqi Bag ; and he states
that " the scores are quite legible," by which one is, doubtless, to
understand all the scores which he copied. The drawing in plate xxxvi.
shows that his reading ended on a sloping part of the head of the stone.
When I examined it in 1883, the stone was so placed that I was unable
to see or to feel with my fingers the iZ"-side of the edge, or to get at all
at the end : this was approximately my guess : —
//
I //'"I
But, in 1898, we were able to see, with a candle, both sides of the edge
as follows : —
//.../.Illll.,,,
I II"' I
It looked to us as if the stone had been broken off with the fifth notch
of the i ; but the last time we found this to be slightly more than what
remains, which is
//,,./, I 111 I,,,
I //'"/'
with two of the notches of the * gone. Kestoring, therefore, these last,
we have as our present reading Bigu maqui. How Mr. Brash came to
overlook the b I cannot explain ; but I see no reason to doubt his reading
of the second name as Dag, except that it cannot have been the whole of
the name as originally cut. His drawing gives no indication that the
398 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
edge after Dag was damaged, but one cannot help supposing that it had,
nevertheless, taken place, most probably when the stone was brought
from its place in a burial-ground and fitted in the roof of this chamber.
I do not know of any name which would complete the genitive into Dap
or Dago ; but there is no lack of longer ones, such as Dagari and Dagagni,
suggested by Daigre and Dagdn respectively : Dagari occurs in Pembroke-
shire reduced to daabi in Roman letters. Lastly, one would like to know
how and when the accident occurred which carried away the Ogams for
Dag, which were there when Brash saw the stone in 1867.
At first sight the name Bigu reminds one of Bede's Begu (also found
written Begiot), with which Mr. Plummer warns his readers not to con-
found the name of " the very mythical Irish saint Bega, whose name is
preserved in St. Bees " : see Plummer's " Bsedse Opera Historica," ii. 248,
also i. 257, 431. But Begu and Bega were botli women, whereas our
Bigu was a man, which seems a serious objection to any attempt- to
equate the name Bigu with the English Begu. A difference of declension
rules out the Irish masculine name Becc, as it made its genitive Bice and
Becce, Becci or Beice, not to mention a probable difficulty as to the gut-
turals g and cc. Lastly, Bigu would seem to offer us an instance of a
genitive in u, to which allusion has already been made under No. 1 ; but
it is more likely to be an indeclinable form like Conu, Dutu, and Finnu.
No. 6. This was read by Mr. Brash as Bir Maqi Mucoi Rottais,
which has also been my reading from the beginning.
//////, 11 Ml /...Mil Ml
I ////// / ///// 1 1 1 1
B I £ MA QU I M U C O I HOT T A I 8
The first t has a stone resting on it in such a way as to prevent one now
from tracing the three scores with one's fingers ; but the reading admits
of no doubt. The edge used is very uneven about the top, and it lias
a sort of step between the o and the tt ; but it was doubtless there before
the writing, which was continued beyond it.
As to the names, it is to me doubtful whether the first one was meant
to be Bir or Bir-maqui. A man's name, Bir, genitive Bera, occurs in the
Bennes Dinnsenchus, published by Stokes in the Revue Celtique : see
vol. xv., pp. 478-9. If we prefer Bir, we have to treat it as a sort of
crude form doing duty for genitive ; and if we take Bir-maqui, we must
regard a thematic vowel as omitted between the r and the m. This
seems the lesser difficulty. Rottais offers a difficulty in its ending ais ;
and I can only explain it as another spelling of Rottes, which, in its turn,
would be the genitive of a feminine Rotta, to which corresponds a mas-
culine Roth : see the Bennes Dinnsenchus (Revue Celtique, xv. 432),
where one reads of a Both, son of Cithang. Compare Avittorig-es as the
genitive of Avitoria in Goidelic ; and as to tt, the sound written th in
the earliest Old-Irish mss. is rendered in Ogam writing by tt, when the
THE DRUMLOGHAN OGAMS. 399
mseriber takes the trouble to distinguish it at all from t ; and so with eh
and Ogmic cc. According to these conjectures the inscription may be
treated as Birmaqui Mucoi Bottais, and rendered " (Monumentum) Bir-
maqui generis Rothae."
No. 7. Mr. Brash has read this Maqui Ne, and no more. So did I
also in 1883, but in 1898 we detected the end of the legend in what we
read as in the right-hand top corner. This last time we further scruti-
nized it, and did not feel certain of the a : the -jjjj- (s) is quite certain,
unless one chose to regard it as — jy (11), for which it would be hard to
show preference :
/JJUJ ,
/ Illli 1 1 II
MA QU I N E AS
I ?
The stone is a fragment, and maqui was doubtless originally preceded
by a proper name. How much is gone also at the other end it is impos-
sible to say ; but supposing only one name to have followed the maqui, I
should at once complete it as maqui Ne[ta-Segamon~\as but for the fact
that the three instances of Neta-Segamonas, all occurring in the county,
have that remarkable name immediately preceded by mucoi not by maqui.
There are, however, other names which would fit, such as Netattrena-
lugos, without travelling beyond the instances in Ogam, or trying the
initial ni instead of ne ; but it is useless to indulge in any more conjec-
tures where the data are so slender.
The formula mucoi Neta-Segamonas, " generis Neta-Segamonis" im-
plies, I ought to explain, that Neta-Segamonas belonged to a time when
group marriages still prevailed, and each child was reckoned a child of
the gens or genus, or whatever you may choose to call the group, and not
the child of any particular man in the group.
No. 8. This was read by Mr. Brash as follows : —
.,11 I. Mill
" 'III""!
O DA F E MA Q I
M
""Illll'lll""
D E N A F E
In 1883 I read the first line, which Mr. Brash makes second as if it
had been written on the right edge, as
U
" " 1 1 1 1 1 ' 1 1 1 1 ' " '
I) OU N A S E
£ I
The other line I considered almost hopeless, and copied thus —
JOUU. K.S.A.I., VOL. IX., PT. IV., 5TH SER.
400
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Tho last group of scores was partly out of my reach on account of a stone
which rested on that part of the Ogam. In 1898 I perceived that the
two lines must have been continuous before a bit of the top corner had
been broken, and we read thus :
if ,,,,IM1 ,,:,:mm
""MlN'Mll / II"
I N A 6 E C (m) UCO IMEDAL0
QU
In this reading I considered that the first vowel notch of the first e
came in a straight line with the last score of the s preceding it — in the
later reading that score disappears — and that the last notch of the e
similarly fell in with the first score of the qu\ but before leaving the
spot I came to the conclusion that this score consisted of an accidental
wearing away of the surface, and that the group consisted of only four
scores, making 'c. Last summer we came to the conclusion that a little
more, than we had thought, of the top corner of the stone had gone ; also
we read Den as Mr. Brash hail done long ago : —
II,,,, ^ ,,,,1111. : .,1111 /,,,,! I, ,,,
TITIl TTT^1 *1 ■ h 1 n+Vr' rl~TTT' '
D E NAVE c(A)(M)o CO IMEDALI
? U
It will be noticed that the breakage should include the final a of
Denaveca, the m of mocoi, and one notch of the first o of mocoi; for my
guessing of the scores seemed to require mocoi rather than mucoi. Then
the final vowel is doubtful on account of the edge having been damaged :
we seemed to find three notches intact, but most likely the original
group consisted of five, making * : at any rate u is less probable.
With regard to the names, Denaveca would be a genitive containing
the element vec or vie, as in Caluno-vica, while the first element dena
stands probably for dena, represented in modern Irish by dian, " swift or
rapid " ; but Denavec- would be difficult to identify in later Irish, as
the v would be eliminated, while the vowel following it would be liable
to lose its original sound, and to be obscured and blunted as one of the
results of the accent being on the first syllable. So it is even possible
that we have it in Diana ch, or perhaps in Denecc, commemorated on
March 16 in the a Martyrology of Gorman." This latter name Denecc
seems to show traces of Ogmic spelling in its cc, for the " Martyrology
of Tallaght" lias Denach, while that of Donegal makes it — probably in
ignorance — into Deneg. The other name, Medali, seems to be the genitive
of an old word corresponding to the Welsh meddal — 'tender, soft, not
hard.' Holder, in his " Alt-Celtischer Sprachschatz," gives a proper
name Medalus from Augsburg ; and we seem to have a derivative in the
genitive Meidle in the pedigree of Ciaran in the " Lismore Lives" : see
Stokes' edition, p. 119.
THE DRUMLOGHAN OGAMS.
401
No. 9. Mr. Brash has read this rough fragment yp #^+w+, which
should make In; hut I have always read it ~r /////■ ,:^+ with pos-
sibly an m following, and we seemed to detect one or two scores on the
opposite edge. They are too far gone to be read, but they serve to show
that the original inscription was quite of the average length, reading
probably round the top and down the right edge, where the traces of
writing still mock one. The bri is probably part of the name Cairbre,
the genitive of which occurs on the Breastagh Stone in Mayo as Corrbri]
and if the surmise as to the m should prove well founded, the inscription
would seem to have run in the ordinary way Corrbri maqui X.
No. 10. This was read by Mr. Brash as Deagost maqi muco[f\ on the
one edge, while, as to the other, he merely remarks that he could make
nothing of "a few scores much worn" which were on it. In 1883 I
read the inscription all as Deagos maqui muc[of\Dotarai, and, in 1898, we
made it into Deagos maqui mucoi Dotrai, which last year's examination
modified very slightly as follows : —
II //., /.Mill L,A\U •]!,, Mi ///-//
//"INI/ / /////
DEAGOSMAQU IMUC O (i) T O T B. A .I
That is, Deagos maqui mucoi Totrai. But this requires some explana-
tion : the whole reads from right to left, which is unusual ; the first i is
partly damaged, and on the left top corner the * of mucoi is gone, and
also the first score of the t is left very doubtful, though, on the whole, I
am inclined to regard the scores as t rather than d. The next difficulty
is what I regard as r. The inscriber seems to have punched the halves
of the long scores on the .Z?-side, and then to have set to work to punch
the other halves ; but he seems to have failed to get the two halves of
each of the two first scores to meet and fall into line. I am not sure
oven that he really punched more than four on the H-side. It is a point
which I am not quite clear about, though I feel convinced that what he
meant to cut was an yffifr (r).
Thus far the difficulties of the reading. A word must now be said
concerning the names : Deagos is the regular genitive of a name, Deaf us,
of the £7"-declension. It reminds one somewhat of Daig, genitive Dega,
which, however, could not be identified with it unless Daig could be
proved to be a relatively late form of the nominative ; but even then I
am not at all sure whether the ea of Deagus could become e in the later
stages of the language. However, I may remark that Deagus probably
consisted of three syllables, being made up of the prefix de, and the
genitive of a word dgus, represented in later Irish by dg, 1 a fight or
combat'; and the name Deagus probably meant fond of fighting, or
given to fighting it out. Non-negative compounds with the prefix de are
2 F 2
402 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
not easy to classify or characterize, so I may mention one or two of the
most ancient of them instanced by Stokes in his " Urkeltischer Sprach-
schatz": (1) de-gala, 'vengeance,' Irish digal, Welsh dial, the
simplex being gal, which seems to have meant any pain or passion ;
(2) de-vedo-n, Irish dead or diad, "Welsh diwedd, 1 end or finish' ;
(3) de-sedi-s, 11 segnis, deses," Irish deeid, which occurs as a gloss on the
cognate Latin word deses, 1 inactive, idle.' As to Totrai or Dotrai, one
might possibly compare with it Dothur or Dodere, both of which occur
in the " Rennes Dinnsenchus." Then comes the question, what is to be
made of the final ai. One might, in the first place, say that, if the
suggestion as to Rottais, = Rottes, in No. 6, should prove well founded, it
would be natural to suppose that ai here stands for ais, = es. This,
however, is very hypothetical ; and as there are a few other Ogmic
instances of at, I may here mention the two which are most certain,
namely, Veqoanai and Querai. Now the former of these is probably to
be analysed into Veqoana-i, with Veqoana, represented in later Irish by
the well-known masculine Fiachna. Similarly Querai would be Quera-i,
with Quera presumably the antecedent of the attested feminine, Cera.
In that case one would have to regard the i of Veqoana-i as the genitive
ending of the A declension, and, to set the phonology approximately
right, one would have to start, in the case of the masculine, with
a genitive Veqoanas-i, which, when the s came to disappear, would
yield Veqoanai. The case of the feminine, however, is more doubtful,
for here we should have nominative Querasd, and genitive Querases, and
the doubt attaches to the question whether a(s)e(s) would yield ai rather
than, or as well as, ae. At all events, Querai seems the name of an
ancestress : it occurs in an inscription which comes from Kerry, and is
preserved at Lord Dunraven's residence at A dare Manor. It reads :
Coillabbotas maqui Corhi maqui Mocoi Querai — " (Monumentum) Coillab-
botis filii Corbi filii generis Querase " ; but, according to these conjec-
tures, we are left without any means of deciding whether Totrai refers
to a man or a woman.
In conclusion, I find, on reviewing the foregoing notes on the ten
inscribed stones, that Mr. Brash's readings and mine coincide absolutely
in a single instance only, to wit, No. 6. This will, perhaps, serve, to
some extent, to illustrate the desirability of our Ogam monuments being-
examined by as many careful observers as possible : that seems to me,
in a great many cases, to be the only chance of our obtaining reliable
readings of them. Hence it is important that the stones should be made
easily accessible to all bona fide students of Celtic epigraphy : that is
emphatically not the case with the stones in the Drumloghan chamber.
What should be done with that chamber itself, or what archaeological
value it may possess, I would not undertake to say ; but the tombstones
in it are not in situ : they were stolen for the building of it from a
neighbouring burial-ground, and they are immensely more valuable than
THE DRUMLOGHAN OGAMS.
403
the chamber. One might roughly say, on this point, that the Ogara
inscriptions there and elsewhere stand to the study of the early Aryan
language of Ireland somewhat as Latin inscriptions would to Latin, if we
supposed the inscriptions to form the only specimens of the Latin language
extant. Only that would he vastly to understate the case, since the
whole body of Ogmic epigraphy is inconsiderable, both in quantity and
variety, as compared with the wealth of the lapidary literature of ancient
Rome and her empire. Therefore the Ogams that exist ought to be
valued all the more, and more care — more enlightened care — should be
taken of them than has hitherto been done in many instances.
404
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Bullan Stone, Killanerin.
NOTES ON CRANNOG AND OTHER EINDS IN NORTH
COUNTY WEXEORD.
BY SIR THOMAS H. GRATTAN ESMONDE, Bart., M.P.
[Submitted January 17, 1899.]
HPhe territory of Dubhthach Ua Lugair does not figure largely in the
annals of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. This is
due, not so much to our archaeological poverty, as to the lack of a record
of those objects of antiquarian
interest, which from time to
time have been observed
within its bounds.
In this Paper I propose to
give a brief description of two
or three finds, made in this
neighbourhood : a description
which later on I hope to sup-
plement with an account of
some others. I begin with a
fine greenstone celt, found in
October, 1898, on the town-
land of Pallas, in the barony of Gorey. And here it is worth recalling
that this townland formed the northern frontier of the property, granted
about 430 a.d., by Crimthann, son of Enna, King of Leinster, to his poet
laureate, Dubhthach. This
property subsequently was
merged in Hy Kinshelagh,
and was afterwards, in 1638,
made the Manor of Esmonde
by Letters Patent of Charles I.
The Pallas celt is a well-
made implement ; it is practi-
cally perfect, but for some
small chips along the edge, and
a larger one at the other end
of the weapon. It measures
8£ inches in length, and 7i
inches round its widest cir-
cumference. It is somewhat
weathered, so that its colour is not so dark as
density is remarkable. It weighs exactly 2 lbs.
Bullan Stone, Ballynastragh.
it might be ; and its
CKANNOG AND OTHER FINDS IN NORTH CO. WEXFORD. 405
Travelling eastward through Dubhthach's territory, we reach the
townland of Killanerin, where the bullan, shown in the illustration,
was found.
This bullan is of quartz.
It stands 1 foot 5 inches high,
and measures 2 feet 4 inches
by 1 foot 9 inches. The cup
in the centre measures 1 foot
by 1 foot 1 inch, and was
originally about 7 inches deep.
From Ballynastragh De-
mesne, adjoining Killanerin,
comes the bullan shown in the
next illustration. Portion of Mill-stone, Clonsillagh Crannog.
This bullan is of granite.
It stands 1 foot 4 inches high, and measures 2 feet by 1 foot 7 inches.
The cup in the centre measures 8f inches by 9+ inches, and was
originally some 5 inches deep.
There is another bullan in Ballynastragh Demesne ; but owing to its
position, I have not been able to photograph it. It is on the top of a
large granite boulder.
About ten years ago a cist was found near this (Ballynastragh) house,
when a new garden was being laid out. Unfortunately I was abroad at
the time, and the cist was not preserved. From the description of it
given to me, it seems to have been a very good specimen.
In a marshy bottom, on the townland of Clonsillagh, which lies to
the east of Ballynastragh
Demesne, an interesting
discovery was made, ac-
cording to my information,
some fifty years ago, in the
shape of a crannog. I am
not aware that the county
Wexford has, so far, fur-
nished another of these
curious habitations. All
that remains of the Clon-
sillagh crannog finds is a
fragment of its granite
quern, which has come into
Portion of Mill-stone, Clonsillagh Crannog. my hands through the
kindness of Mr. Hughes,
on whose farm it was found. The accompanying illustrations give a
very good indication of what is left of this mill. I have been unable
to trace the missing portions.
406 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
The oak timbers of which the crannog was constructed were many of
them built into neighbouring houses, where some of them are still to be
seen.
The next discoveries relate to some valuable fossils found on the
townlands of Killowen and Kilmichael, in the north-eastern corner of
county Wexford, where Dubhthach's territory joined the sea.
The first is portion of an Irish elk's antlers ; it is not a very hand-
some specimen, but it affords an opportunity for stating the fact that
a number of others have been found in the locality. I have myself
a magnificent specimen, measuring 7 feet 6 inches across the tips of the
antlers ; but owing to its position it cannot be well photographed.
Next we have red-deer horns found in the same region some years
since ; and a still more interesting find, viz. a red-deer's antlers dredged
up in October, 1898, by fishermen on the Kilgorman Bank, off Kil-
michael Point in 3£ fathoms of water.
This find would support the theory that the fringe of sandbanks
running down the Wexford coast were at some time or other portion of
the mainland.
The last to be described is an ancient boat, but it has no old-
time connection with Dubhthach's territory. After many vicissitudes it
has found a resting-place here. The following description of this boat
is given in his " Half-hours with old Boatmen," by Mr. Patrick O'Leary
of Graiguenamanagh, to whose good offices in 1897 I am indebted for its
possession : — "In the year 1813 some workmen employed by Mr. Hays,
who was a very extensive timber merchant at New Ross, took up from
the bed of the river (Barrow) a boat 17 feet long and 4 feet beam, neatly
hollowed out of a single oak, which he presented to Sir Thomas Esmonde.
Some years after, his men also took up a cap-piece of Irish oak, fifty feet
long, which formed part of an ancient bridge, erected over the river by
William Marshall, earl of Pembroke, in the thirteenth century."
This ancient craft no longer bears the proportions that graced her
in 1813. The years that have passed since her discovery have worked
more havoc upon her frame than all the centuries the Barrow flood
swept over her. She is now nothing but a wreck, 15 feet 3 inches at
her greatest length, and 1 foot 10h- inches at her widest part. Some
traces of the fashioning of her prow are still observable ; but it requires
the imagination of an antiquary to picture her, as, in the dim distance
of bygone times, she walked the waters a thing of beauty.
( 407 )
THE MINUTES OF THE PRESBYTERY OF LAGGAN.
BY THE REV. WILLIAM T. LATIMER, B.A., Fellow.
[Submitted August 16, 1899.]
r|Vo hundred years ago, a man's relation to his Church— especially in
Ireland — determined far more of his other relations than at present.
Hence, if we desire to know the causes from which many social and
political changes have sprung in this country, it is necessary to study
the constitution and history of our three larger Churches. The reading
few in Ireland are pretty well acquainted with the main facts regarding
the Latin and English Churches ; hut they know very little concerning
the Scottish Church. Yet it was immigrants from Scotland that formed
a majority of the Ulster "planters," and gave this northern province of
ours its language, its customs, and some things peculiar in its code of
morality. Accordingly, if we desire to know Ireland, we must know
Ulster, and if we desire to know Ulster, we must study the various
influences which have comhined to produce that world-renowned race of
Irishmen, commonly called the Ulster Scots.
As a Society we have nothing to do with the truth or error of the
various opinions that divide Christians ; hut it comes within the sphere
of our operations to study how far some of the customs that sprung from
these opinions have tended to affect the march of civilization in this
kingdom of Ireland. Now, if we desire to get at the general principles
which lie hehind these movements, we must deal with particular facts ;
and to get at historical facts we must study original documents. If
therefore we wish to know the Ulster Scots thoroughly, we must make
ourselves familiar with the original records of that Church to which the
majority of them belonged. In these we will find much that is new to
most members of this Society — not only with regard to things ecclesias-
tical, but with regard to social customs and prejudices.
For example : a man was very seldom brought before the Session of
a Presbyterian Church, two hundred years ago, for simply beating his
wife as the result of a sufficient cause, but in several instances a heavy
penalty was inflicted because an offending husband beat his wife on the
Sabbath Day. In fact, Sabbath-breaking was considered a much greater
crime than wife-beating ; and this idea of Sabbath Sanctity has in several
ways modified the customs of Society all over Ulster.
The particular record to which I w7ish to direct your attention to-day
is The Minutes of the Presbytery of Lag g an. Of course " Laggan " has
nothing to do with the river of that name, which, after slowly meandering
408
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
through the classic regions of Ballymac arret, discharges its muddy
waters into Belfast Lough. The Laggan from which this Presbytery
took its name is not a river, but a beautiful valley that stretches from
Raphoe to Manorcunningham, on the southern shore of Lough S willy ;
but the congregations that were under the ecclesiastical supervision of
this Presbytery extended to far beyond the district from which it took
its name.
This very volume itself is of historic celebrity. In 1681, it was-
eagerly sought for by the High Sheriff of county Donegal, and by the
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, as it was expected to contain records which
might incriminate certain members of the Presbytery.
Tii at Court had been guilty of a crime which was then considered
peculiarly heinous. In February, 1681, they had ordered a public fast
to be observed in all their congregations. Although this fast was alto-
gether religious, and had no political significance whatever, several
members of the Presbytery — Messrs. William Trail, of Ballindrait, James
Alexander, of Raphoe, Robert Campell, of Ray, and John Heart, of
Taboin, were arrested and brought to Dublin for examination before the
Lord Lieutenant and Privy Council, In Mr. Trail's examination he was
asked particularly about the minute-book of the Presbytery. In reply,
he stated positively that he did not know where it then was, although
he admitted that it had been in his possession when the fast was
appointed. In fact, he was clerk of Presbytery himself, and we see
from a document printed by Dr. Reid that when he heard a search
was making for the book, he rode home in all haste, and had it conveyed
to a place of safety.
The end of the matter was that the authorities failed to discuver it,
but the four members were kept for eight months in prisun, and were
condemned to pay fines for this crime of proclaiming a religious fast.
The Presbytery book which was then so eagerly sought for by the
magistrates of Donegal and the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and which
contains the original resolutions ordering this obnoxious fast, is the very
volume that I purpose to describe. It is 7i inches by of inches, and
bound in leather. It is written on both sides of the paper by several
hands. Mr. James Alexander's penmanship is by far the best, being in
old English characters, and beautifully executed. It contains a record
of the names of members, elders, and commissioners who attended the
meetings of the Court, and also of the business transacted. The names
recorded are often important as showing who were the leading members
in various congregations two hundred and thirty years ago. The clergy
are designated by the title "Master," and are never called "Reverend."
This title did not come into general use among Irish Presbyterians, as
applied to their ministers, until a good many years after the beginning of
the next century.
In reading over this volume, one of the first things that strikes us is
THE MINUTES OF THE PRESBYTERY OF LAGGAN. 409
allusion to a great number of collections for the poor. On the 21st of
August, 1672, at the very first meeting of which we have a record, it
was reported that Master Robert Wilson and Master Thomas Drummond
had brought in their collection for John Kinkead's child according to
appointment, and that Masters William Semple, Thomas Drummond,
Robert Wilson, and Robert Campbell had given in their collection
according to the overture of the Committee for Master Simson's child.
The money contributed was Ir ought to the meeting of Presbytery by
the ministers of the various congregations by whom it was raised. There
were no postal orders in those days, and contributions had to be
"brought'7 or sent by a messenger.
Each applicant for assistance had his case duly investigated and
approved before being placed on the list. The Orphan 1 Simpson' to whom
I have alluded was put on by an " Overture " or resolution of the Com-
mittee— that is, the General Committee which was representative of all
the Presbyteries, and acted as a kind of Synod, although its resolutions
had no legislative force until accepted by the Presbyteries. The poor
who received assistance were generally adherents of the Presbyterian
Church, but sometimes we have allusions to others, as, for example,
captives with the Turks. On the 2nd of February, 168?-, the Meeting
(or Presbytery) of Route proposed to the other Presbyteries that a
general collection should be taken up for seven persons, who were
prisoners with the Turks. The Presbytery of Laggan resolved to make
this collection according to conveniency.
Throughout the greater part of the book we find allusions to difficul-
ties arising from the legal position in which all adherents of the Church
were then placed. At a meeting held on the 24th of April, 1679, it
transpired that the Rev. James Tailzior, of Enniskillen, had been fined
in five pounds because he was unable to produce a certificate of being an
ordained minister.
In some of the previous entries there are allusions to the imprison-
ment of the Rev. William Henry, of Bally shannon. In November, 1676,
Mr. Henry was sent to preach in Connaught. The exact locality is not
mentioned, but in all probability it was Sligo and also Moywater, near
Killala. At any rate, something that he did when there was considered
a crime, and, after his return home, he had to go back to Connaught to
meet certain charges. These, the minute states, were on account of
"some trouble from the prelate of Killalley" (Bishop Thomas Otway).
The Rev. Robert Rule, of Deny, was directed to write to the Dublin
ministers about the " violance done to Mr. William Henry while he was
preaching the Gospell in Connaught, and also to write a general hint of
this business to my Lord Granard."
Thus we are left in the dark as to the exact crime imputed to
Mr. Henry, but I presume that it was holding religious services after
the forms of the Church of Scotland. At any rate, Mr. Henry was-
410 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
arrested, removed to Dublin, kept in confinement there for more than a
year, and not set at liberty until he gave bonds for his future good
behaviour.
A somewhat strange case is referred to in the minute of a meeting
held at St. Johnston, on the 27th of March, 1678. It was then reported
that during a temporary absence of Mr. Samuel Halliday, minister of
Drumragh (Omagh), his place was supplied by Mr. John Rowat, of
Cappagh. When Mr. Rowat was in the act of baptizing a child in
presence of the assembled congregation, a magistrate named Eakin
rushed in furiously with his drawn sword, intending to arrest the
officiating clergyman. But Mr. Eowat, comprehending his intention, ran
out without finishing the baptism in m hich he was engaged, and succeeded
in making his escape.
At this period, so much did the Presbytery stand in fear of the
authorities, that ordinations or installations often took place at night,
and far from the parish in which the newly-appointed minister was
settled. For example, on the 24th of June, 1673, Mr. Archibald
Hamilton, grandnephew of the first earl of Claneboy, was installed
minister of Armagh ; but the ceremony took place (as is proven by these
records) after night in the house of William Douglas, of Benburb, seven
miles from Armagh.
An entry made in 1676, records the fact that in some single parishes
as many as "eight score" had been brought up before the "official
courts" for various offences arising out of their "Nonconformity."
Some had been taken with writs, some excommunicated, and many of
them almost ruined by the payment of fines.
In October, 1678, it was reported that Mr. Stevenson, of Dungannon,
was then in jail as a result of being excommunicated for refusing to serve
as a churchwarden. A year and three months afterwards he was still in
the same prison, and there is no record of his liberation.
Year after year these troubles seemed to increase, and after the arrest
of the four ministers to which I have alluded, there is a blank in the
records from the 13th of July, 1681, till the 30th of December, 1690,
from which it would seem that the Presbytery ceased to hold regular
meetings. We have seen that this book is simply a record of the busi-
ness transacted at the meetings of the Presbytery. To these meetings
the ministers, elders, and all who had business there generally rode on
horseback. Sometimes we find members making excuse for absence or
for not having fulfilled appointments, because they were not able to ride
so far. In September, 1693, Mr. William Liston, of Letterkenny,
excused his absence from the meeting because he was " so valetudinary
that he was unable to ride." Sometimes appointments to preach were
not fulfilled on account of the "danger of the way," arising from the
disturbed state of the country. Even the Revolution did not for some
time render travelling safe. In May, 1694, Mr. James Alexander, of
THE MINUTES OF THE PRESBYTERY OF LAGGAN. 411
Raphoe, was appointed to visit Sligo and Moy water. Four months
afterwards it was reported that he had failed to keep his appointment,
but excused himself because the road was so infested with rapparees that
he could not venture to travel. His excuse was accepted.
This volume contains various allusions to the difficulty of sending
letters. In November, 1676, Mr. Robert Rule, Minister of Deny, was
directed to write to Mr. James Tailzior and his congregation of Ennis-
killen, but at the next meeting of Presbytery he reported that his
instructions had not been carried out, as he was unable to find a bearer
for the letter. This excuse was sustained, and his appointment renewed,
which meant that he was to write as soon as he could get anybody to
carry the letter. In cases of great importance, the Presbytery some-
times made a special order to send a letter by post. An instance of this
occurred in the case of Mr. Tailzior himself, to which we have already
alluded, when he was tried and imprisoned upon pretence of his wanting
a certificate of being an ordained minister. In this case, the Clerk of
Presbytery was ordered to draw up the necessary certificate and transmit
it to Mr. Tailzior by post. On another occasion, the Presbytery ordered
a letter of importance to be sent by express.
This disinclination to use the public post for the transmission of
letters must have arisen from other causes besides the mere expense.
So far as I can make out, a letter could at that time have been sent
anywhere throughout the bounds of the Presbytery at a cost of four-
pence, which was certainly not a prohibitive rate for letters of impor-
tance, although that sum represented a higher value then than it does
now.
Some of the entries enable us to form an opinion regarding the pro-
gress made in planting the North-West of Ulster with Scottish Settlers.
A tolerably correct idea of the position and strength of the Scottish
immigrants can be obtained by a careful study of the places in which
ministers were settled, and the amount of stipend paid by the different
congregations. For example, it was reported in 1673 that, during the
previous year, Donoughmore, county Donegal, had paid its minister
thirty pounds, Rnphoe twenty-six pounds, and Letterkenny thirty pounds.
During the same period, the whole part of Drumragh, including the
town of Omagh, had paid less than four pounds. At that time, this
parish formed merely what was called a " pendicle," that is, it was
attached to another parish, namely, Cappagh, and had only part of the
services of its minister, Mr. John Rowat.
This proves that, in 1673, there were few Scottish settlers about
Omagh. In fact, there is one entry in the minutes which states plainly
that the parish could not pay a higher stipend until the country would
be better settled. Twenty-two years afterwards (1693) Omagh was able
to offer thirty-three pounds a-year when they presented an unsuccessful
call to Mr. Halliday, proving that meanwhile there must have been
412
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
a great influx of settlers in this district. That tide of immigration
seems to have been particularly strong after the Revolution, as every-
where throughout the bounds of the Presbytery we find congregations
increasing in numbers and in resources — many of them were enlarging
their old churches or building new ones. For example, in 1694, the
people of Donoughmore, county Donegal, were ordered to enlarge their
meetinghouse, as it would not then contain more than one-third of the
congregation.
Among the records in this book are allusions to persons of historic
fame. On page 257, which I have got photographed, there is an
account of the " trials" of Mr. Francis Mackeniy, who afterwards went
to America, and there founded the first Presbytery of the English-
speaking branch of the Church. (The Reformed Dutch Church had, of
course, a previous existence.) On the same page is the record of a call
from Enniskiljen to Mr. Samuel Kelso, who afterwards was so greatly
distinguished in the defence of that town, when attacked by the armies
of King James II.
Besides this, it is interesting to find that the descendants of many of
the ministers and laymen mentioned in these records are still active
members of the community to which their forefathers belonged. I can
trace families of farmers who now occupy the same holding that was in
possession of their direct ancestors when this book was written, which
proves how firmly these Ulster Scots have taken root in the soil, and how
Irish they have become.
Other matters there are of great interest in this volume, but some of
them touch on the political and theological, and therefore cannot be dis-
cussed before this Society. Such an entry as the following sounds some-
what strange in our ears : " The Session of Adstra [Ardstraw] reports
that Ro. Drew has stood two Lord's days publicly in that congregation
in order to the removall of the scandall he lys under, and that the
Session is satisfied with the ardency of his repentance. The meeting
appoints the sd. Session to absolve him." On this I shall make no
comment.
In conclusion, permit me to express a hope that the Historical Com-
mittee of the General Assembly will publish this old Minute Rook, which
contains so much that is interesting and important, and which would be
an appropriate sequel to the three volumes of Synodical Minutes lately
issued.
( 413 )
GOLD PLATES AND DISCS FOUND NEAR CLOYNE,
COUNTY CORK.
BY ROBERT DAY, J.P., F.S.A., Fellow.
[Read October 10, 1899.]
Tn the Monitcur of August 25th, 1806, there was an account of a dis-
covery of decorated gold plates near Cloyne, county Cork. This
was copied into the Irish provincial papers, and all that was
known of it in 1824 will be found in Thomas Crofton Croker' s
" Researches in the South of Ireland," whore he lias preserved its
record, and illustrated its only specimen, which by the merest chance
was saved from destruction. We owe its preservation, and Croker's
historical record to the late Mr. Robert Lecky of Cork, who died at his
home in London in 1897, at a very advanced age. He was one of those
men of whom any city might be proud. A marine engineer and iron
shipbuilder by profession, a well known scientist and antiquary, the
intimate friend of John Lindsay and Richard Sainthill, of J. W. Ley-
cester, and John Windele, Abraham Abel, Richard Caulficld, and T. C.
Croker. He purchased all that was left, one specimen, of the gold find
from Mr. Teulon, a well known Cork silversmith, and one of the last
that used the "Sterling" mark upon the plate manufactured in his
workshop. His place of business, which is well within my early re-
collection, was in Patrick-street, where Grant & Co.'s warehouse now
stands. I had known for some years that this gold ornament was in
Mr. Lecky's possession, and through the kindness of Miss Lecky, after
her father's death, I was permitted to acquire it.
The facts connected with its finding were well known to Windele,
whose memory carried him back to the time of its discovery. The
following notice appears in Tuckey's "Cork Remembrancer," under
April 10th, 1806 (not 1805 as in Croker).
" A human skeleton, around which was found the remnant of a gar-
ment with broad plates of figured gold of considerable value, was dis-
covered in a quarry in the neighbourhood of Castlemartyr ; several
amber beads much injured by time, and something resembling a mitre in
shape, were also found."
This, as a contemporary account, is of peculiar value, and is singularly
accurate, as one of the amber beads of mitre shape has been preserved
with the plate of gold, and came to me with it.
As some of our readers may not have an opportunity of consulting
Croker, I venture to give the extract from his graceful pen. After
414 ROYAL .SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OE IRELAND.
describing Carrick-na-Crump, and the cavernous nature of the limestone
country about Cloyne, he says (page 253)
that :—
" A curious discovery was made not far
from Castlemartyr by a quarryman ; in con-
sequence of the crowbar having accidentally
fallen through a fissure in the rock, he
widened the aperture and descended in
search of the instrument into a cavern,
where he was not a little surprised to
behold a human skeleton, partly covered
with exceedingly thin plates of stamped or
embossed gold, connected by bits of wire.
He also found several amber beads. The
sketch (fig. 1) of one of these gold plates
is [nearly] the same size as the original,
which is in the possession of Mr. Lecky of
Cork, with the fragment of a bead. The remainder of the gold was
sold and melted in Cork and Youghal, and a jeweller who purchased
the greater part told me the quantity he had melted, to use his own
words, was "rather more than the contents of half a coal box."
Circular disc-shaped
plates of the same
character, doubly
pierced in the centre
for attachment to the
garments as personal
ornaments, have been
figured and described
from time to time. In
the Ulster Journal of
Archeology, vol. iv., p.
164, 1856, is a paper
by Robert M'Adam on
"Gold discs found in
Ireland," with four
illustrations. One of
these from Ballydehob
is now in my collection,
and with it a massive
circular bronze armlet,
44; inches in diameter,
which was broken by the finders, but restored by Miss S wanton of
Crownlea (Crann Liath), on whose ground both were discovered in
1844. In the above Paper references are made to Camden's 'Britannia,'
Fig. 2.
GOLD ORNAMENTS FOUND NEAR CLOYNE, CO. CORK. 415
1722, Dublin Penny Journal, 1833, page 244. "Collectanea Antiqua,"
1854, " Archaeologia," vol. ii., Transactions, R.I.A.,1 vol. 6, where
the finding and description of similar gold plates are described, and
on the authority of Mr. "Windele, two others. One of these is that
from Castlemnrtyr, described and figured by Croker. The other was in
the possession of the late Mr. Wm. Wrixon Leycester, of Ennismore,
Cork, shortly after whose death I acquired it. It was said to have been
found at or near Eallyvourney, Macrooni, and is a remarkably fine
Fig. 3. — Gold Disc found near Cloyne.
example of its kind, measuring 4^ inches in diameter (fig. 2). There are
yet two others of smaller size, for which I am indebted to the late
Mr. Abraham T. Forster, of Garrettstown, that were preserved^ for
many years in his picturesque home on the Old Head of Kinsale.
There also, among the family heirlooms, is the silver collar of SS.,
given by Queen Elizabeth to Maurice Roche, Mayor of Cork, in 1571. 2
1 Vide "Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society," vol. i., 2nd
Series, 1895, p. 328.
2 Smith's " Cork," p. 231. (Guy & Co., 1893.)
JOUR. R.S.A.T., VOL. IX., VT. IV., OTH SER. 2 G
416 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Mr. Forster informed me that this pair of discs, which are very
much alike, was found near Cloyne, county Cork, many years ago.
They are of the same description of decoration as the larger plate from
Ballyvourney, and may be described (fig. 3) as having a series of four
concentric circular bands, that diminish as they approach, the centre,
and resting on these are a regular succession of chevrons, and upon the
outer edge a border to correspond, but having circular marks in each.
These markings are also punched and incuse. The two smaller discs,
although of the same character, have a series of short, straight, punched
lines on the borders j and immediately adjoining these are two circular
bands, between which there are a succession of double chevrons one
within the other, and surmounting the doubly-pierced centre are three
concentric circles, the outer having a series of raised punch-marks.
In "Wilde's 11 Catalogue of the Gold Antiquities in the Royal Irish
Academy" (a book that should find a place in every library), at pp. 82,
83, are references and descriptions of the seven specimens that were in
the museum in 1862, " all of which bear a broad cruciform ornament."
Two of the five in my collection, here figured, have no semblance of a
cross ; they are more suggestive of the sun, with its many rays, and
points, and circles of light, and were worn upon the breast possibly by
the votaries and worshippers of the orb that rules the day — the life-
giving and active power of nature.
If the story of the quarrymen at Castlemartyr is authentic, the
garment powdered with gold, that covered the skeleton, was the same
robe, either of state or office, that was worn in lifetime. In Ireland the
most precious articles were buried with the dead. The votive offering-
was a free gift of the most costly character, differing altogether from
the custom in Cyprus, where the very lightest and least costly imitations
of the ornaments worn in life were placed in the tomb.
( 417 )
THE DE VERDONS OF LOUTH.
BY W. H. GRATTAN FLOOD.
[Read October 10, 1899.]
HPhe late Father Denis Murphy, s. j., a few weeks before his
lamented death, wrote to me expressing his regret that he had
not seen the " Annals of Croxden " before writing his article on the
above subject, which was published in the Journal for 1895, p. 317.
These Annals were compiled by a monk of Croxden Abbey, Staffordshire,
and extend from 1177 to 1374. They contain information not to be
found elsewhere, especially as regards the family of de Yerdon, and
were translated and published by the present writer in 1894. I there-
fore lay before the Society a very brief resume of this great family,
which will serve as a supplement to the Paper of my deceased acquaint-
ance, who was such a painstaking and accurate historian.
Bertram de Verdon of Alton [formerly written Alveton] Castle,
Staffordshire, founded Croxden Abbey in the winter of 1176, and
accompanied Prince John to Ireland in April 1185. He remained in
Ireland from 1185 to 1187, having been appointed seneschal of that
country; and in 1187 founded the Priory of Dundalk, dedicated to
St. Leonard. Father Murphy says that Lopez gives " 1296 " as the
da^e of this foundation, but this is incorrect. Apart from other
sources, we learn from the " Calendar of Christ Church Deeds" that
there was an appeal case tried in the year ''1251," in which the
Prior of St. Leonard's, Dundalk, was one of the arbitrators.
In 1190 Bertram de Yerdon went to the Holy Land in the train of
King Richard, but was slain " at the victory of Joppa in June, 1192,
and was buried at Acre on St. Bartholomew's Day." From the
"Croxden Annals" we learn that Rohesia, "widow of the noble
founder," died January 17, 1215; and King John, who died October
19, 1216, left his heart, and (what was decidedly more valuable) £10
a-year, to the monks of Croxden, in memory of past kindnesses whilst
hunting.
Bertram was succeeded in his English and Irish estates by Lord
Nicholas de Yerdon, who lived most of his time in county Louth and
at Bertram' s-court, Dublin. William de Ashbourne [not far from
Croxden], abbot of Croxden, died in 1237, and- some of his nephews
settled in Ireland. Father Murphy says that Rohesia de Yerdon
"died at the end of 1246, or in the beginning of 1247," but the
Croxden annalist gives us the exact date, namely, " four days before
2 G 2
418 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OE IRELAND.
the Ides of February, 1247." From the same authority we learn that
Lord John de Yerdon, "a mighty patron of this house," died in 1274,
" on the twelvth of the Kalends of November." His son, Humphrey de
Verdon, died at Paris in 1286. In 1288 Richard de Burgh besieged
Lord John de Yerdon in one of his own castles in Ireland.
Incidentally, Father Murphy states that the first Irish Parliament
"was held between 1289 and 1303." As a matter of fact there is yet
preserved a statute which was passed in Ireland in 1268-9. Lord John
de Yerdon, " eldest son of Theobald, Lord of Alton, died in the year
1297, on the Ides of June, in Ireland." The chronicler of Croxden,
William de Schepished, tells us that on the Feast of St. John the
Baptist, 1298, " Theobald, son and heir of Lord Theobald de Yerdun,
returned from Ireland, and was knighted by King Edward." This Sir
Theobald " married Matilda, daughter of Edmund de Mortimer, Lord of
Wigmore, in 13,02, four days before the Kalends of August."
In 1307 Lord Theobald rebuilt Alton Castle, having previously been
summoned to the Parliament of 1307, "held at Carlisle on the octave
day of St. Hilary," at which a cardinal legate was present. Father
Murphy says that this nobleman "died in 1308 "; but the Croxden
annalist, then prior of the house, tells us that the obit occurred in 1309
li on the Feast of St. Bartholomew, Sunday, August 24th, at Alton;
and he was laid by the side of his ancestors at Croxden, with great
solemnity, on the third day of the Ides of October." He was succeeded
in his title and estates by Lord Theobald de Yerdon, who was Yiceroy of
Ireland from June, 1314, to February, 1315 ; " and he set out for that
country before the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist." His
wife Matilda died September 18th, 1312, and was buried at Croxden on
October 9th, her obsequies being presided over by Gilbert, Bishop of
Enaghdune or Annadown — a see which was temporarily annexed to
Tuani in 1324. The brass erected to her memory was engraved thus:
MATILDA DAME MONSIEE THEOBAUD DE VERDUN SEIGNEUR DE CESTE VILLE
gist ict." It is interesting to add that this brass (which is now a
palimpsest) is the earliest known instance having a canopy which is
cinquefoliated.
Nicholas de Yerdon succeeded to the Irish property of Lord Theobald
in 1320. At this period we find many of the Staffordshire towns re-
presented in Ireland, and giving names to persons occupying high posi-
tions in Church and State. For instance, William of Leek, Henry of
Alton, William of Ashbourne, William of Budyard, etc. Lord Thomas
de Furnivall, the new Lord of Alton, made many exactions on the
Croxden monks in 1319 and 1320, but the annalist is careful to inform
us that he had to pay a fine of £200 for marrying Lady Joanna Montagu,
nee de Yerdon, without the king's license. Thomas, the first born son
of Lord de Furnivall, was born at Alton Castle, on June 22nd, 1322,
and a second son, William, on August 23rd, 1326. Lord de Furnivall
THE DE VERDONS OF LOUTH.
419
died on February 3rd, 1332, and was succeeded in his title and estates
by his son Lord Thomas. The name only continued in the direct line
from 1317 to 1383, when Thomas Neville of Hallamshire, who married
Lady Joan de Furnivall, assumed the title of fifth Baron Furnivall.
He died at Alton Castle in 1406, and in 1408 his daughter Maud married
Sir John Talbot Furnivall.
Lord Thomas de Furnivall died at Sheffield, October 14th, 1339, and
was buried in the Abbey of Beauchief on May 9th, 1340. In 1447 Sir
John Talbot was ennobled by the titles of Earl of Shrewsbury, Wexford,
and "Waterford, and Yiscount Dungarvan, as also hereditary Seneschal of
Ireland. In 1474 and 1483 we find the name of "Walter de Verdon,
Chaplain of Ardee, among the deeds of Christ Church, Dublin. Alton
Castle was dismantled by order of the Parliament in 1654.
420 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
NOTES ECCLESIOLOGICAL.
BY M. J. C. BUCKLEY.
[Communicated Octobeu 10, 1899.]
TTaving read with much interest a Paper on so-called "Patrick's
Crosses" in the Journal (ante, p. 35), I wish to communicate to
the Society the following notes concerning these objects.
The author1 of the Paper in question, in describing the figure of an
ecclesiastic which is shown on the central portion of the upper part of an
ancient metal shrine, now in the museum of the Royal Irish Academy,
describes the costume of this ecclesiastic as consisting of "an outer wrap
or mantle, bordered by wide edgings. . . . The mantle covers an inner
garment extending down to the ankles, having a broad band at its lower
margin. The pattern, marked in incised lines on this portion of the
figure, appears to represent some fabric similar to tartan On the
shoulders of the central ecclesiastic's figure are placed two conspicuous
circular ornaments, having transverse markings forming the Early
Eastern Cross, with its equal-rayed limbs, which recall our once popular
and universally-worn 'Patrick's Crosses.'" He also mentions "the
figures of three clerics " carved in a panel on a slab at Invergowrie (Scot-
land), " all of whom are habited in garments corresponding to those worn
on the figure now described on the ' Corp Naomh ' shrine, that is, com-
posed of outer coats or mantles covering tunics descending to the ankles,"
&c I think it well, for the sake of ecclesiological as well as of artistic
accuracy, to state that the " outer coats or mantles," or " wraps" as they
are called in the above descriptions, are really the "copes" or pro-
cessional cloaks of the clergy which have continued in use to the present
day, with very little alteration from the original form of the Eoman
vesture called the " lacerna " or " pluviale " ; this garment, or rather
"vestment," consisted of an ample mantle open in front, thus differing
from the closed " pocnula " or, as it was afterwards called, the " casula"
(now the chasuble), as we find this latter vesture in the early apsidal
mosaic of the church of SS. Cosmas and Daniien, in Rome, on the figure
of St. Felix, Pope, A.n. 527. The "cope" or cloak was fastened on
both sides of its front borders, or " aurifrigia" (vulgo "orphreys") by
two disks of metal which covered the hooks, or " fibulse," which were
inserted into each side of the cope, and which kept it securely on the
shoulders of the wearer,2 precisely as we may see it, at the present timet
1 The late William Frazer, m.k.i.a.
2 Some fine examples of "fibulae," or cope " morses," were found some years ago
NOTES ECCLESIOLOGICAL.
421
in scores of German and Belgian churches, where the ample mediaeval
forms of the vestments have been so intelligently restored to use. These
disks of metal which are called cope " morses " (because their hooks bite
into the staff) are often ornamented with sunk or " bossed " crosses, roses,
&c, exactly as shown on the sides of the cope in the figure of the
" ecclesiastic " on the " Corp Naomh" shrine. Such morses, whether orna-
mented with " plaques" or "patenes" — disks of metal, were universally
used not only in the Celtic, but in all the churches of Latin Christianity :
they do not in any way denote the rank of the wearers ; thus differing
completely from the long-disused ornament called the "Rationale" or
" Superhurnerale," which was composed of precious materials, and was
worn by many bishops from the ninth century, on the shoulders, over the
chasuble. It corresponded to the "Ephod" or the " Rational " of the
Jewish High Priest, and was often ornamented with circular disks of
metal (gold or silver-gilt) such as we see on the " Rationals" preserved
at Ratisbon, in the cathedral of Eichstadt, and in Bamberg, and on the
Reliquary-busts of SS. Boniface and Willibald (also in Eichstadt in
Germany) and of St. Lambert in the cathedral of Liege, Belgium. This
"Rational" was certainly a "recognised badge" of rank of some
bishops; not so the simple "morse " plaques of their copes.1 The "inner
garment extending down to the ankles " (mentioned by the writer of
the article) " having a broad band at its lower margin," of which the
pattern is described as being " similar to tartan," is the " tunica talaris,"
or the white linen vesture commonly called the " alb " which reached to
the ankles (as ordered by Rubrics of the Church), and which was often
ornamented with a rich "parament" or applied border of embroidered
material like that which is shown on the inner " tunic " of the eccle-
siastic on the shrine ; such albs belong to the category knows as " albae
paratae " or " frisiatae," and were very general from the eighth century
up to the sixteenth in Europe. A fine example of such an alb is the
" tunica talaris," which was found, some years ago, in the sepulchre of
Saint Bernulph, Bishop of Utrecht (Holland) in a.d. 1056 : the pattern
on the border of this alb is also of a " Tartan " type in parallel lines, as
in the old Irish example, and is of the same depth of design.
As regards the bronze figure of a cleric, now in the Academy
museum, of which a drawing is to be found in the Journal, 3rd vol.,
4th Series, page 147, vol. 13, which figure is almost identical in
treatment with the other statuettes on the shrine of St. Manchan, I may
in Christian burial places in Franchimont and at Florennes (Namur), of Frankish
origin: both hear crosses " patees," or Early Eastern crosses, on their circular
" patenes."
1 As a hadge of rank on a cope, I know of only one example, and that is in a panel
painting of Charlemagne, by Albrecht Durer, dated anno 1512, which is now in the
Museum of Nuremberg. In this painting, Charlemagne is shown as wearing the
Imperial cope, stole, dalmatic, and crown : on both sides of the cope, over the
shoulders, are two large embroidered crosses of the Early Oriental form.
422
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OE IRELAND.
remark that the " cope " is clearly indicated ; as well as the two " morse"
"patenes," or disks; the sunk "chatons" or apertures for " gems "• of some
sort (most probably cabochons either of amber or turquoises) on the sur-
faces of these disks are now void of their settings: similar "patenes,"
set with crystals, are on the shrine of St. Servatius at Maestricht
(Holland) of the twelfth century. A very curious indication of the " Huge
plisse" or finger-wrinkled" linen of the alb (such as is artistically prac-
tised in Italy to this day) is noticeable on the " inner tunic " or alb, of
this figure, just below the hands holding the short episcopal " cambutta"
or pastoral staff. I also notice that the pointed mitre is provided with
the horizontal and the vertical " orphreys " or bands which were used
on manv mitres from the eleventh century, such as we see in the figures
of several bishops, in a ms. of the Abbey of St. Laurence, at Liege, now
in the Royal Library of Brussels, which was written and " illumined " in
the early part of the twelfth century. The mitres of preceding epochs,
dating from the tenth century, did not possess either these orphreys or
the two long narrow bands or stoles called "fanons" or " nabellae,"
which were later additions. Respecting the thin circular disks of gold,
all bearing modifications, or variations of Greek crosses, in their centres,
of which disks the Museum possesses several specimens, it is very likely
that some of these disks may have been attached to the " stoles " or bands
of rich material (symbols of the priestly dignity) which were worn over
the chasuble in the early Christian churches from the middle of the sixth
century. There is a remarkable example of the use of " Greek" crosses
(in metal) as attached to such "stoles," to be seen on an ancient figure of
a bishop, carved in " basso-relievo," in white marble in the church of
St. Michael of Pavia, dating from the tenth-eleventh century. Such
metal " cruciform " disks are still used on the vestments of the Oriental
rites, as I have seen with the llusso-Greeks and the Maronites. A
fine example of such "disks" is shown as sewn on the collar of the
"apparel" of the " Amict " of Bishop Geoffrey de Fae (a.d. 1334-1340)
in a stained glass window in the cathedral of Evreux (France), also on
the chasuble of the figure of Saint Omer in a miniature of the twelfth
century in Belgium. There is a very remarkable " cope morse " or " mors
de chape" (called also " bile de chape " in mediaeval French) preserved
in the splendid Treasury of St. Servatius' Church at Maestricht in
Holland, dating from circa 1500 ; on which Saint Servatius is shown
in " bosse " as bearing an early " Tau " staff (of which there is a rare ex-
ample in the Kilkenny Museum), and habited in cope and mitre ; the cope
is fastened on the breast by circular disks or morses, precisely as in the
ancient Irish figure of St. Manchan's shrine ; and the mitre has the same
pointed shape, with the " orphreys," or bands thereon, as in the Irish
figure. I have remarked that the two circular " morse " disks for holding
the " cope " or cloak on the shoulders of the wearer are shown on the
sides of the mantle of a female, on a fine tomb-slab of circa 1340,
NOTES ECCLESIOLOGICAL.
423
in St. James' Church, in Tournai (Belgium).1 A similar metal disk is
graved on the left arm of the effigy in copper- bronze of William Neue-
maer, circa 1325, in St. Laurence's Hospital, in Ghent. This disk is
shown as being attached to the garment by cords, pasing through two
perforations, as in the Irish disks. All such "morses" were in pairs, as
is proved by those which are now in the Museum. It seems very probable
that such "morses " replaced the ''button" fibulae of early Irish times,
which have been such a puzzle to archaeologists.
1 I have noticed two ornamental " patense " on the mantle, or "cope," of the
engraved effigy on the cross of Alianore de Bohun, of the year 1399, in Westminster
Abbey; also on the cope (or " cappa magna") of Joice Lady Tiptoft, circa 1446, in
Enfield Church, Middlesex. These "fibulae" are rose-shaped, and serve to cover
the cincture which keeps the two sides of the garment together on the shoulders of
the wearer.
Magnificent antique specimens of such cope morses are to be found in the church
Treasuries of Tongres and Namur (Belgium), which are rich in shrines, chalices,
crosses, &c, in precious metals of the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, and succeeding
centuries. Many of these objects are still in daily use. I have also seen some very
fine cope " morses " made, in recent years, for use in English, Belgian, and German
churches, designed by clever artists, and executed by skilled craftsmen. Small though
they be, still as objects of art, and specimens of the goldsmiths' and jewellers' work-
manship, they are most remarkable, and -worthy of attention.
424 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
JtfltjScellanea*
The Preservation and Custody of Local Records. — The following
communication has been received on this subject : —
" Treasury Chambers, Whitehall, London, S.W.
"30*7* November, 1899.
" Sir,
" Local Records Committee.
''The first Lord of the Treasury has appointed a Committee, consisting of the
Right Hon. and Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of London, Right Hon. J. Bryce, m.p.,
Sir Francis Mowatt, k.c.i?., Sir H. Maxwell Lyte, k.c.b., Sir C P. Ilbert, k.c.s.i.,
c.i.e., and Mr. S. E. Spring Rice, c.b., with instructions to inquire and report aa
to any arrangements now in operation for the collection, custody, indexing, and
calendaring of local records, and as to any further measures which it may he advis-
able to take for this purpose,
" With a view to eliciting information in regard to existing arrangements for the
custody of documents and suggestions for the future, the Committee have prepared
two Schedules of queries, which have been circulated to a number of local authorities ;
but it has occurred to them that the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, or some
of its members, might also be disposed to assist in the matter, and they accordingly
desire me to forward the enclosed duplicate copies of the Schedules, and to say that
they would be glad of any ohservations which those Schedules may suggest to your
Society, or any of its members.
" I am, Sir, yours faithfully,
" Malcolm G. Ramsay,
" Secretary.
" The Secretary of
"The Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland."
The Schedules referred to are as follow : —
I. With reference to existing arrangements in the place or district
with which you are familiar, it would be useful to know —
1. AVhat collections of documents relating to the history of the locality already
exist ? What is the general nature of their contents ?
'2. Are they in public or private custody ?
3. In what building are they contained ?
4. (a) Is the accommodation sufficient and satisfactory? In particular (b) is the
building fireproof and dry, and (c) are the rooms well lighted and otherwise
adapted for the use of those who may wish to consult them ?
5. (a) Who are the custodians? (b) By whom are they appointed? (c) What
guarantees (if any) are there for the appointment of persons with proper
qualifications ? (d) How are they paid ? (e) Do they discharge any other
functions ?
6. What funds are available for the maintenance of the collection, or for adding
to its contents ?
MISCELLANEA.
425
7. (a) How are the documents classified and arranged ? (b) Is there any list of or
index to the contents of the collections ? (c) If so, is it written or printed ?
8. To what date do the oldest documents go back ?
9. Have any of them been printed or calendared ?
10. (a) At what times, and under what conditions, are members of the public
allowed to inspect or copy documents in the collection ? (b) Are there any
rules about lending out documents ? (c) If so, have they worked well ?
11. Have any of the documents, within your knowledge, been destroyed or injured
by fire, damp, or other cause ?
II. With reference to future arrangements, the following questions,
among others, appear to deserve consideration : —
1. Is it desirable to establish throughout the country local offices, under public
control, for the preservation, arrangement, and study of documents relating,
to the history and administration of the district ?
2. If so, what local centres should be chosen ? and what authorities, local or
central, should be entrusted with the duty of supervision ?
3. What documents relating to local administration should be continuously pre-
served ?
4. What inducements can be offered to owners of documents of antiquarian value,.
whether general, ecclesiastical, local, or personal in their character, to place
them in public custody ?
It has been suggested that landowners, corporations, trustees of charities, and
others might be willing to place title-deeds and other documents relating
to local administration and history in the custody of local authorities, if it
were made clear that they were so deposited for safe custody only, and that
full rights of access, control, and removal would be reserved to the owner-
Such an arrangement would, in fact, be not unlike that under which
Government departments deposit departmental documents for safe custody
in the Record Office.
5. In what manner would it be expedient to deal with documents such as parish
registers, diocesan registers, churchwardens' accounts, old terriers, old
manorial rolls, records of manorial and local courts, old leases, old enclosure
awards, maps, or others ?
6. How can local collections be best made available for the student?
7. What would be the best mode of securing the services of competent custodians ?
8. To what extent (if any) could local libraries, under public control, or managed
by trustworthy local bodies, be made useful for the purposes of custody ?
To certain experts likely to be well acquainted with the subject, the
following further question will be put : —
What lessons are to be learnt from foreign countries ?
The Council have appointed a Committee to report on the matter
referred to, and suggestions of members of the Society are invited.
Congress of the Royal Archaeological Institute of Great Britain
and Ireland. — The Hon. Secretary has intimated, by letter dated 11th
December, 1899, that the lioyal Archaeological Institute has decided to
visit Dublin next summer, probably at the end of July, and that the
426 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
President and Council hope that the Council of the U.S. A.I. may be
able to assist by suggestions for a programme. A reply has been sent
to the effect that the Council will be happy to assist in the manner
requested, and the use of the Society's Eooms will be offered to the
visitors during their stay in Dublin.
Clonfert Cathedral. — As requested by the Council on the last day
of meeting, I had an interview with Mr. Fuller, who was good enough
to show me the plans of Clonfert Cathedral, and to point out the works
which had been carried out. The plans showed the arches leading into
the transepts, which had come into view when the plaster was removed
from the walls. The outlines of these arches are perfect, the opes
having been built up in brick at some former period. It is clear, there-
fore, that a north as well as a south transept did formerly exist, but no
steps have been taken to rebuild it. As to the western doorway, it had
been suggested to take down the inner members of it, which had been
inserted in the fifteenth century, thereby enlarging the doorway to its
original dimensions, and to erect the portion removed as an entrance to
the baptistry, which immediately adjoins to the south of the entrance,
but this suggestion has not been adopted, and the western doorway
remains unaltered.
As to the interior, the plaster was removed, and has not been
replaced, the architect considering that it was not desirable, as the
stone dressings are flush with the faces of the masonry. The pointing
of the masonry does not preclude the plastering of the walls being
carried out at any future time.
It may be well to point out that a heavy coat of original plaster is
not to be found in any ancient church in Ireland, and where plaster
does remain on the walls of any such building, it is almost invariably a
mere skin of lime putty, which dies out on meeting the dressed stone.
It therefore appears to me that nothing has been done to Clonfert
Cathedral which calls for action on the part of this Society. — lii chard
Langrishe, f.r.i.a.i., Member of Council.
The Cairan Ogam Stone (A correction). — On the 19th of August last
Mrs. Rhys and I, having some hours to spare at Kells, went to see the Ogam
stone in the burial-ground surrounding the ruined church of Cairan — I
find that they call it Cairan's, not St. Cairan's. I had visited it before
with Mr. Cochrane, and examined the writing in a heavy downpour of
rain : in fact we both got wet, especially Mr. Cochrane, in trying to
read it. We had to raise it from a lying position, aud we were unable to
get it quite clean under the circumstances. It has ever since been
standing as we put it, and it has been thoroughly cleaned by the
weather : with this advantage and that of a very fine day, my wife and
MISCELLANEA. 427
I soon discovered that I Lad committed a very serious error in the ready-
ing. On turning to the Journal for 1898, p. 59, it will he found that I
have practically given it thus : —
tTTrrTmr ***** / *■ t»+i+ y-m- ' ' ^ * h-h rr Trm +M+*"
CON N IMAQU1MUCOI LUGUN I
No less than seven of the vowels were then guessed by me, partly or
wholly, according to the spaces left them ; but now we were able to trace
or place them exactly, except the i of maqui, where the third and
fourth notch are gone, to which I shall return presently. My difficulty
began this time with the first n of the above reading, and, on both of us
repeatedly examining it, we found that it is not n at all but vag, and
that the whole reads thus : —
jjil^ ]]r * // mi) /-hilill-H^ -/^iiiL 1+^^Tr^ 1I( T +M+(.
CO VAG" N IMAQUIMUCOILTJGUNI
The name Covagn- should yield Cuan in later Irish, and Cuan occurs-
pretty frequently in the pedigrees in the Book of Leinster. ' The whole
may accordingly be rendered {Lapis) Covagni filii Generis Lugunii or
(" the Stone) of Cuan, son of the kin of Luigni." I was much struck
by the fact that the scores on the J2"-side of the edge and upwards a&
far as the apex are palpably deeper and less worn than those on the
i?-side. This suggests to me that the stone had been for a long time in
the wall of the little church, and so placed as to have the iZ~-side
protected by stones built on it while the i?-side was exposed. Further^
I am inclined to think the apex on which the i of maqui had been cut,
protruded slightly at an angle in the wall, so that the protruding
part was neatly trimmed off by the mason, or smoothed away by con-
tinuous wearing. I should represent the original apex roughly thus : —
The curve on which there should have been two vowel
j * notches is gone, leaving the first, second, and fifth of the
yf5 five to stand. It is particularly to be noticed that the
ifs+ space between the second and the fifth is rounded off
5 smooth, showing no breakage at all. Lastly, I may
mention that I remarked in my previous account of the stone, that the
scores of "the first n of Conni is badly spaced." I hope that the
inscriber will be considered adequately avenged by this humble acknow-
ledgment of mine, that the scores in question had never been intended by
him to be read as n, and that the charge of carelessness I brought
against him cannot be sustained, at any rate in this particular instance.
I see now also that I cannot have paid attention to the photograph, hut
I am not sure whether I had seen it when I wrote. — J. IIhys.
428 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Patiickstown Stone.
Throwing- Stones or Hammer Stones (?). — The two objects illustrated
are made of a kind of hard black, slaty limestone. Both are large pebbles;
one side of each has been chipped into shape, and rather rudely polished,
the other remaining
in its natural state.
Their forms may,
roughly speaking, be
described as lenticu-
lar ; one side being-
more convex than the
other.
The larger example
is 3f inches in dia-
meter and 1-^6 inches
thick. It weighs 13
ozs. For many years
it has been in the pos-
session of Michael Fox, a farmer in the townland of Patrickstown,
Co. Meath, but he does not know where it was found. Owing to the
varying hardness of the layers in the stone of which it is made, the
natural side has been worn so as to present the appearance of approxi-
mately concentric rings. The other side which is flatter is smooth all
over, and has evidently been polished. The edge is a good deal battered.
The smaller specimen was found at Lucan, Co. Dublin. In pro-
portion to its diameter, it is much thicker than the last, its dimensions
being 2f inches by 1| inches, and its weight 1 1 ozs. The edge is blunter
than that of the larger stone. These stones would suit very well for
small hammer stones,
but it would hardly
seem to be worth the
maker's while to ex-
pend the labour ne-
cessary to shape and
polish them with
that end in view ;
and although the
same objection may
be urged, I incline
to the belief that
they were intended
for throwing with
the hand, their shape
and size being most admirably suited for that purpose.
According to "Windle, Irish literature gives several examples of the
use of thro wing- stones, which were called "the warrior's stone," "the
Lucan Stone.
MISCELLANEA.
429
champion's flat stone," u the semi-flat stone of a soldier champion," etc.
These stones appear to have been generally carried in a recess in the
shield, and several instances of their use are given,1 one being in a
battle near Fore, supposed to have taken place in the first century b.c.
It would appear that the two stones above illustrated are intermediate,
so far as the workmanship expended on them goes, between the flint
disc, stated by Col. Wood-Martin to be in the Museum of the lloyal Irish
Academy, and illustrated at p. 386 of "Pagan Ireland," and the rude,
chipped flint, sling stones, mentioned by Sir J. Evans,2 as of frequent
occurrence in Northern England, especially near ancient encampments. —
E. Crofton Hot ue ram.
Commonplace Book relating to Ireland. — This curious Manuscript
in the Library of Trinity College (I., 1, 2) deserves to be better known
to students of the state of Ireland in the reign of "William III. Though
containing much that is uncritical and fabulous, it also contains a large
quantity of local information not to be found elsewhere. I give a brief
table of contents with the pages : —
" Hot springs, Lough rTeagh, p. 2. Eruption of water from Lough
Gariduff between Carlow and Wexford, August 27, 1693.3 Ditto Sieve an
Iran, 12th June, 1691, p. 25. Oily dew that fell on H. Peacock's farm,
Limerick, 7th October, 1695, p. 26. Brevis clescriptio Wexfordiae ejus-
dem excidii ('by a know not who '), p. 30. Wexford described, p. 41.
Pilgrimages to Peg Erin, p. 43. Churches, their condition and patron
saints ; gold chalice taken by Cromwellians, p. 48. Esmund family,
p. 55. Wexford families, notes on tithes and assessments, p. 58.
Graduates of T. C. D., 1625-86, p. 81. Population of Dublin, p. 82.
Dublin Castle ' in rubbish,' p. 84. The weakness of Kinsale, Cork,
Limerick, and Athlone examined, also Deny, Carrickfergus, list of
ordnance, &c, p. 85. Territory of West Connaught, 13th February,
168f, by Mr. O'Flaherty, p. 101. Leitrim, by Mr. Eody, p. 139. The
cormogh worn by Mr. Dowdall, 1682, p. 145. Ardes Barony, Co.
Down, by W. Montgomery, p. 149. Eoscommon (Eathcroghan, Clonfree,
&c, p. 165), p. 158. Co. Down, p. 168. Antrim, p. 176. Remarkable
wells in Antrim, p. 193. Down, p. 195. Antrim, p. 196 (curious scurri-
lous poem on same page). Co. Donegal, p. 211 (Patrick's Purgatory,
p. 215). Sir A. Chichester's epitaph, p. 216. Co. Clare, p. 224
(O'Brien's lands, ancient monuments in Ennis Abbey, &c.) by Hugh
Brigdall, p. 224. Co. Limerick, by D. Hignett, p. 239. Co. Cork,
by E. Cox, p. 244. Co. Waterford, p. 258. Co. Kerry, p. 264. New
Eoss (1684), p. 267. Co. Wexford, by S. Eichards, p. 283. Co. Kildare,
p. 289. Co. Westmeath, by H. Penn, p. 299"."— T. J. Westropp.
1 " Life in Early Britain," p. 42, by Bertram C. A. Windle.
2 44 Ancient Stone Implements," chap, xviii.
3 Vide Journal, vol. vi., p. 297 and note.
430
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Ballynilard Cross. — This cross is situated on the farm of Mr.
William O'Brien in the townland of Ballynilard, about one mile from
the town of Tipperary, and about 50 yards from the main road leading
from Tipperary to Galbally. On the Ordnance Map it is simply marked
" Cross."
There are no remains of any ancient buildings in the vicinity ; and
the only well which I could find corresponding to the Holy Well of the
Ordnance Map is the draw-well, about 10 yards from the cross used by
Mr. O'Brien for supplying his cattle and house with water.
I have been unable to learn from any of the clergy of the neighbour-
hood of the existence at any period of a burial-place in this townland.
The upper portion of the field in which the cross stands shows some
traces of having been built upon. Mr. O'Brien informed me that his
uncle, a former tenant, about fifty years ago, removed several flags
(possibly tombstones) from this portion of the field when constructing
some drains.
Close by the cross are its socket-stone and a rudely formed bullaun.
Some sixteen years ago the cross was overturned by cattle ; and since
that time has been simply fixed in the ground. It is composed of
conglomerate, a formation which does not occur nearer than 10 miles
from Ballynilard. The dimensions are: height, 5 feet; breadth across
the arms, 2 feet 7 inches. The upper portion of the obverse side is
rudely decorated with five bosses and four corresponding indentations.
On the reverse side there are four indentations but no bosses.
Kev. D. Hanan, d.d., some years ago, had a photograph of this
cross taken, and forwarded to the late Rev. D. Murphy, s.j., a very
short time before the death of that eminent authority, who expressed
great interest in the matter, but, unfortunately, was never able to visit
Ballynilard. — A. P. Morgan.
Tombstone in Ardfert Friary. — The difficulty regarding the tomb-
stone in Ardfert which puzzled Miss Hickson may easily be solved.
Mr. Wakeman. correctly ventures the solution that it is the tomb of " a
bishop or a mitred abbot." There is no doubt but that it is an effigy of
an ecclesiastic; this is evident from the crook. The theory put forward
by Miss Hickson cannot stand, for a moment, namely, that the effigy
probably represents Sir Gerald Fitz Maurice, 4th son of Maurice, 2nd
Lord of Kerry, and Grand Prior of the Knights Templars in Ireland at
the time of the abolition of the Order.
Now, as a matter of fact, neither Priors nor Grand Priors of the
Templars had even quasi-episcopal jurisdiction. They were frequently
mere clerics, not even priests, and were not " blessed" as abbots, or
"consecrated" as bishops; consequently they are never represented
with a mitre and crozier.
MISCELLANEA.
431
Whilst Mr, Wake man says that the monument " probably dates from
the fifteenth century." Mr. Drew is of opinion that " it may date from
the latter half of the fourteenth century." Now the effigy of the abbot
in question is undoubtedly of the fourteenth century ; and Miss Hickson
equates his pectoral cross with "a badelaire or baselard." Her surmise
that the surrounding- figures are " those of mourning relatives or friends "
is absurd ; and Mr. Wakeman correctly says that each of those heads has
a nimbus, clearly indicating the saints of God.
The only question really is, who was the mitred abbot, whose effigy
remains as a mute testimony of his rule ? My own impression is that it
represents Thomas, fifth son of Lord Kerry, who was Cistercian Abbot of
Fermoy ; and also had Odorney in commendam. Archdall writes : "1303.
Maurice, Lord Kerry, died in this year ; at ivhieh time Thomas, his fifth
son, governed the alleys of Fermoy and Odorney.'''' This Thomas was,
therefore, a Cistercian abbot ; and he was interred with many members
of his family at Ardfert Friary. I may add that the entire suppression
of the Knights Templars in Ireland did not take place till 1312. — W. H.
GkATTAN FLOOD.
Blackstairs or Knock Branduff? — Mr. Orpen has written an interest-
ing Paper on the above, and many of his conclusions are well worked out.
Mount Leinster was formerly known as Sliahh Suidhe Zaiyhen, and
Scollagh Gap was called Bama-Scumhal or Barnascool = the gap of the
steep ascent or gap of the hill-side. Kennedy, however, gives it as
" Bama Scoltach = a rift or cleft ; the picturesque pass between Black-
stairs and Mount Leinster." Just as we have Barnanely anglicised as
"the Devil's Bit," so we have Barnascumhal called "Scollagh Gap."
I think there is scarcely a doubt regarding Knock Branduff and
Blackstairs, though the name of the townland at the foot of Blackstairs,
a few miles from Eewtownbarry, is Knock Brandon. The very proximity
to the Black Eock Mountain seems to bear out the traditional association
of King Bran Dubh with this part of the country. Carrig Buff equates
with Black Rock, which is close to Newtownbarry, and about four miles
from Blackstairs.
Regarding the river Boro, the late Mr. Kennedy wrote that its name
was equivalent to " a babbling stream," and not from any reference to
the Boromean tribute, I may add that the first syllable of Boro is
always long, as is also the first o in Castleboro. He continues : — " From
the Blackstairs, the brawling Urrin runs down through woodland and
meadow, till it falls into the Slaney below Enniscorthy ; and from Mam-
a-Culliagh, between the White Mountain and Blackstairs, and near the
entrance of Cahir Buadtfs Den, flows the Boro nearly parallel to the
Urrin, but drawing closer as it proceeds, till it also joins the Slaney at a
lower or more southern point than the other." Here I may observe that
jour, r.s.a.i., vol. ix., pt. iv., 5th ser. 2 H
432
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Mam-a-Calliagh (literally, " the breasts of the old women ") means the
mountain defile not far from Blackstairs.
Templeshanbo was founded by St. Aidan, to whom it was given by
King Bran Dubh\ and the patron saint of Ferns subsequently appointed
St. Colman O'Fiachra its first abbot, whose obit is chronicled on October
27th, 595. Bran Dubh was slain at Ferns in the year 605. Professor
Rhys tells us that the tribe or clan of the Sine were the Degaith Mac Sin,
who lived in North Wexford.
Certain it is that a branch of the Siol Brain for centuries lived in the
district known to this day as "the Duffrey," and which formerly
embraced Templeshanbo and Enniscorthy. Maurice Regan tells us that
u O'Byrne of the Duffrey conspired against Strongbow, although he had
given hostages." Eochaidh Airgtiach is said to have been slain in the
Duffrey, a.d. 285 ; but this event occurred near Larne, Co. Antrim.
Compare also the analogous name Cromogue, from St. Mogue. — W. H.
Grattan Flood.
Barry O'Meara. — I am desirous of obtaining information regarding
the ancestry and descendants of this notable Irishman. He was son of
Jeremiah O'Meara, who is variously said to have been a lawyer and a
military man. A Jeremiah O'Meara had a grant of a crest and a confir-
mation of arms, from Ulster, in 1775. Can any of your readers inform
me if he was Barry O'Meara' s father, and, if so, if any details of the
grantee's ancestors are in the confirmation and grant? Barry O'Meara' s
second wife was Lady Leigh, whose career is known to me. Who was
his first wife ? The family, I believe, owned valuable property at Black-
rock. It is surprising how little appears to be known of the family his-
tory of a man who acquired such notoriety. I am aware of the memoirs
of him and his granddaughter in the Dictionary of National Biography.
— C. M. Tenison, Fellow.
( 433 )
&otkt$ of 33ooft!5*
[Note. — The Works marked thus (*) are Members of the Society.']
Records of the General Synod of Ulster from 1691 to 1820. In three
Yolumes. Volume in., 1778-1820. (Belfast, 1898.)
The Historical Committee of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church of Ireland has done well in publishing the old Minutes of the
Synod of Ulster. Issued in three volumes, they cover the period from
1691 till 1820, and they can be obtained, for 6s. 8d. a volume, at the
Assembly's Offices, 12, May-street, Belfast. The first volume was issued
in 1890, and the last has lately appeared.
Like all other minutes, they are a record of business transacted.
From them we can easily see the matters which came up for considera-
tion before the Supreme Court of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland
during the period which they cover.
A good deal of this business is, doubtless, purely ecclesiastical, with
which, as a Society, we have nothing to do, but, besides this, there is
much of general importance. There are, for example, many applica-
tions for pecuniary assistance — sometimes to relieve captives with the
Turks, sometimes to assist private individuals, and sometimes for cases
of public charity. As an example of the latter, there is a petition
from the town of Omagh when it was accidentally burned. This record
is peculiarly interesting, as it fixes 1742 as the date of that catastrophe,
although 1743 is the date given by the ordinary histories of the town.
In the last-issued volume there are several allusions to the disastrous
rebellion of '98. For example, in 1798, this record : — " Mr. Jas. Porter
was executed at Grayabby on 2d of July, in Consequence of the sentence
of a Military Tribunal which sat at ISewtonards. He left a "Widow
and Family."
Next year (1799) the following occurs: — "Belfast Presb. report,
That the Kevd. Thos. L. Birch, and the Bevd. Jas. Simpson, being
charged with Seditious Practices, were permitted by Government to
leave the kingdom. . . . That Mr. Archibald Warrick, a probationer
under care of the Presbytery, having been found guilty of Treason by a
Military Tribunal, was executed at Kirkcub'bin, in the month of Oct1'.
1798."
"Bangor Presb. report, That Messrs. Jas. Hull, John Miles, and
David Warden, lately licentiates of their Presbytery, having been
2 H 2
4M
ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
charged with being concerned in the Insurrection of June 1798, and
not having stood their Tryals, but as they understand having sailed for
America, are not to be considered as probationers under their care.
They further report that the Kev. Dr. Wni. Steel Dickson, hath been
from the beginning of June 1798 a State prisoner, and is now at Tort
George in the Highlands of Scotland."
" Tyrone Presb. report .... that Mr. Charles Wallace, being
charged with Treason and Sedition, got leave to transport himself to
America, and is not now under the care of the Presbytery."
From these entries, it will be plainly seen that there is much of
general interest and importance contained in these old volumes. It is
to be hoped that the Assembly's Committee will continue its work of
publishing the numerous ecclesiastical records of the Presbyterian
Church, as many of them arc in danger of perishing. The old records
of the Secession Synod, sorrowful to relate, have disappeared from the
Library of the Presbyterian Church.
W. T. Latimee.
The Cathedral Builders : The Story of a Great Masonic Guild. By Leader
Scott, lloyal 8vo, 454 pages, 80 full page illustrations. Price 21s.
(London: Sampson Low, Marston, & Co., Limited.) 1899.
This work is an interesting and valuable contribution to the elucidation
of much that was obscure in the history and symbolism of early
Christian art and architecture in Europe, and their later developments.
The chief feature of the work is the singularly clear account which
is given of a guild of master builders who lived on the island of Comacina
on Lake Como, and were called Comacines " ; and the attempt of the
author is to show that with this band of workers from 500 to 1200 origi-
nated all the Italian art of the period, and from it all the Gothic architec-
ture of Europe. There may be some difference of opinion as to whether
the author does not claim too much for this particular guild, and it is
more likely that the view will be adopted that while the Comacine mas-
ters were an important factor, in designing and erecting the buildings of
the period, there may have been other Guilds of Masons as well.
The first historical record of the activity of the Comacine Masons is
in the edict of King Eotharis, dated 22 November, a.d. 643, brought to
light by the archseologist Muratori.
There is a clause in this edict (Art. 144) relating to the conditions for
compensation and liability to accidents in buildings under erection by the
members of the guild.
In the present day when we have a " Workmen's Compensation Act "
passed in 1898, and since the date of its passing upwards of a thousand
cases have been tried in the Courts of Law in the attempt to discover what
[To face page 434.
Comacine Knot on a Panel at S. Ambuogio, Milan.
One strand forms the whole.
(From Cattaneo's " Architettura.")
Sculpture from Sant' Abbondio, Como.
The circle and centre a single strand. Fifth Century.
NOTICES OF BOOKS.
435
it means, it is interesting to turn to the seventh-century law on the
subject : —
" Art. 144 of the engaging or hiring of Magistri. If any person has engaged
or hired one or more of the Comacine Masters to design a work (conduxerit ad
operam dictandum), or to daily assist his workmen in building a palace or a house,
and it should happen by reason of the bouse some Comacine should be killed, the
owner of the house is not considered responsible ; but if a pole or a stone shall
kill or injure any extraneous person, the Master builder shall not bear the blame,
but the person who hired him shall make compensation."
The author has drawn largely from a work on the subject by Professor
Guiseppe Merzario, called Maestri Comacini, published at Milan. in 1893.
The existence of the guild under the Longobard rule having been
proved, and their intimate connexion with and responsibility for the erec-
tion of the most famous buildings of theLombardic type, the author goes
on to show the numerous foreign emigrations of the Comacine Masons and
establishes the Norman and German link.
An interesting chapter on the origin of Saxon architecture by the
author's brother, the Pev. A\r. Miles Barnes, tends to show that the
Comacines were the survival of the Horn an Collegia, and that when
St. Augustine came to England he brought architects and masons with
him, and that these would be chosen from the Comacines then firmly
established under the patronage of the Popes.
For Irish archaeologists, the most interesting theory is that developed
in the chapter on the Hound Towers and Crosses of Ireland, whereby a
Comacine influence is shown in the ornament of our Crosses. The
interlaced work, so long considered as peculiarly Celtic, is shown to be
purely Comacine, and whether known as the Italian intreccio, meandro,
or " Solomon's knot," it is the distinguishing badge of the Comacine
Masons.
The author, in this connexion, says at page 82 : —
"In studying the scrolls and geometrical decoration of the Comacines, one
immediately perceives that the intreccio, or interlaced work is one of their special
marks. I think it would be difficult to find any church or sacred edifice, or even
altar of the Comacine work under the Longobards which is not signed, as it
were, by some curious interlaced knot or meander, formed of a single tortuous
line. The Comacine believed in his mystic knot ; to him it was a sign of the
inscrutable and infinite ways of God whose nature is unity. The traditional
name of these interlacings among Italians is ' Solomon's knot.' "
In the " Journal of the Kildare Archaeological Society," vol. i., page
240, Mr. P. C. Cooke Trench, in an interesting paper on interlaced Celtic
work, draws attention to the continuity of the strand which follows the
"under and over " direction alternately throughout, and in this respect
is similar to the Comacine work. In the description of the sculptured
figures around the doorway of the Church of San Michele, Pavia, there
are examples of almost every type to be seen in an Irish cross, and in
many of these groups are things which at first sight do not seem to be
436 ROYAL SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
connected with Christianity. In this respect, there is a striking
similarity to the sculptures in the Holed Cross of Moone, described by
Lord Walter Fitzgerald, at page 385, ante.
As regards the suggested origin of the Round Towers, the author
thinks that at the time of the Irish Missionaries, when St. Fredianus
became Bishop of Lucca, and St. Columban was abbot of Bobbio, they
erected churches and monasteries there, and that it would be reasonable
to suppose that they counselled the employment of similar workmen in
Ireland.
By the courtesy of the publishers, illustrations are given of the
interlaced work, and of the Round Tower attached to the Church of
St. Apollinare in Classe, Ravenna.
The author has attempted to deal with an enormous quantity of
material ; whole chapters are devoted to the work of different Lodges of
Freemasons ; that on the Sienna Lodge, extending over the period from
a.i). 1259 to a.d. 1423, during which time there are entries regarding
67 master masons, most of whom were employed at the building of
Sienna Cathedral. Families are followed up for centuries, sons follow-
ing their fathers in the Guilds, first as novices, then as masters.
The author is a lady who has spent much time in Florence, and who
has made a study of Italian art and architecture. The work she has
now produced is one of altogether singular value, and it shows a breadth
of view in the main features, with a patient industry in working out
details and dates which is unusual ; the result is a work greatly in
advance of anything that has been produced in recent years in archi-
tectural literature. The book will no doubt run to a second edition,
which will afford an opportunity of regrouping some of the subjects and
chapters, and some of the matter, though important, could be placed in
an appendix.
*A' The History and Antiquities of Tallaght, in the Comity of Dublin. By
William Domville Handcock, m.a. Second Edition, revised and
enlarged. (Dublin : Hodges, Figgis, & Co., Ltd.) Price 3s. net.
1899.
Miss White has done good service in bringing out a second edition of
her uncle's well-known work on Tallaght, and has taken advantage of
the opportunity of rectifying some defects which existed in the first
edition. The revision has been carried out with much discretion and
judgment, and a number of valuable footnotes and an appendix are
added. The ancient history of the locality is carefully traced, and the
description of the town, castle, and palace of Tallaght in former days
is brightened by several engravings on wood, by Mr. Hanlon. Belgard,
Tymon Castle, Kilnamanagh, and Old Bawn, are each dealt with in an
interesting manner, and all the antiquities of this extensive district are
noticed.
PROCEEDINGS.
437
The Foueth Geneeal Meeting of the Society for the year 1899 wa&
held in Kilkenny on Tuesday, 10th October, at 8 o'clock, p.m. ;
Edwaed Peeceval Weight, m.a., m.d., m.e.i.a., v.-p. e.i.a., Vice-
President, in the Chair.
The following took part in the proceedings : —
Fellows. — The Rev. Canon ffrench, m.r.i.a., Vice-President ; Robert Cochrane,
f.s.a., m.r.i.a., Hon. Gen. Secretary ; P. M. Egan, j.p., Son. Local Secretary,
Kilkenny ; Colonel Philip D. Vigors, j.p., Hon. Local Secretary, Co. Carlow.
Members. — Michael J. C. Buckley; Thomas Hall; the Yery Rev. Thomas Hare,
d.d., Dean of Ossory ; the Rev. Canon Hewson, b.a. ; Miss Hynes ; Mrs. Kinloch ;
Charles M'Neill; George Shackleton; Mrs. J. F. Shackleton ; Mrs. E. W. Smyth;
John Willoughby ; Miss K. E. Younge.
The Minutes of the Third General Meeting were read and confirmed.
The following Candidates, recommended by the Council, were
declared duly elected : —
Corcoran, Miss, The Chestnuts, Mulgrave-road, Sutton, Surrey : proposed by Robert
Cochrane, f.s.a., m.r.i.a., Hon. General Secretary.
Darley, Arthur, 15, Pembroke -road, Dublin: proposed by D. J. O'Donoghue.
Darley, Henry "Warren, 15, Pembroke -road, Dublin : proposed by D. J. O'Donoghue.
Evans, Mrs., 87, Eccleston-square, London, S.W. ; and Moville, Co. Donegal:
proposed by the Rev. J. H. P. Gosselin, b.a.
Fleming, Miss H. S. G., Pallisade House, Omagh: proposed by W. R. Scott, m.a.,
Fellow.
Harding, Rev. Charles William, m.a., Canon, The Rectory, Dromore, Co. Down :
proposed by the Rev. Canon Lett, m.a., m.r.i.a.
Kinloch, Mrs., Kilfane House, Thomastown : proposed by Henry A. S. Upton, Fellow.
M'Clintock, Miss Gertrude, Kilwariin House, Hillsborough : proposed by John
Ribton Garstin, m.a., f.s.a., v.-p. b.i.a., Fellow.
Trimble, Andrew, m.b., b. ch., 2, Violet-terrace, Crumlin-road, Belfast: proposed
by S. W. Allworthy, m.a., m.d.
The following Papers were read, and referred to the Council : —
" Notes on an Ancient Bell and its Composition found at Kilmainham," by Edward
Perceval "Wright, m.a., m.d., m.r.i.a., Vice-President.
"Gold Discs" (Cloyne, Co. Cork), by Dr. Wright, for Mr. Robert Day, f.s.a.,
m.r.i.a., Fellow.
" The Verdons of Louth," by Mr. Cochrane, for Mr. "W. H. Grattan Flood.
" Ballyniland Cross, Co. Tipperary," by Mr. Cochrane, for Mr. A. P. Morgan, b.a.
438 ROYAL SOCIETY 01° ANTIQUARIES OF IRELAND.
Mr. John Willoughby exhibited an Indian Prayer Bell, with large
clapper, worked by the wind when the bell was suspended.
Votes of thanks were passed to Mr. P. M. Egan, Fellow, Bon. Local
Secretary, for the arrangements made by him for carriages and lunch,
and to the Rev. Canon Hewson for the Papers read by him at Gowran
and Tullaherin.
The Meeting then adjourned to Tuesday evening, 31st October,
1899.
Mr. P. M. Egan, Hon. Local Secretary, arranged the Excursion for
Tuesday. The party left Kilkenny at 9.80 a.m., and drove to Gowkait,
where the Church, which contains several ancient sepulchral monu-
ments, among them that of the first Earl of Ormonde, who was buried
there in January, 1337, was visited. With the Church was formerly
connected a College of four vicars. The Castle was destroyed in March,
1649-50, after its capture by the Parliamentary army under Colonel
John Hewson. The Rev. Canon Hewson read a Paper here on the
" Ancient Church and Monuments."
Tullaherin was next visited, where are the ruins of a large Church,
a Round Tower ("The Steeple of Tulla"), 73 feet high, and a stone
with Ogham inscriptions. The Rev. Canon Hewson read a Paper here
descriptive of the local antiquities.
Thence the party proceeded to Thomastown, and visited the ancient
Church, and, after luncheon, a visit was paid to the ruins of the
Cistercian Abbey of Jerpoint. The party returned to Kilkenny at
6.30 p.m., and the members dined together at the Club House Hotel.
TUESDAY, 31s* OCTOBER, 1899.
An Evening Meeting of the Society was held at the Rooms,
6, St. Stephen's-green, Dublin, on Tuesday, 31st October, at 8 o'clock,
p.m. ;
Thomas Drew, Esq., r.h.a., Vice-President for Leinster, in the Chair.
The following Papers were read, and referred to the Council for
publication : —
" Ancient Records of the Dublin Guild of Merchants, 1438-1671," by Henry F.
Berry, m.a. (Illustrated by lantern slides, and the exhibition of some records of
the Guild.)
il The Antiquities of Castle Bernard, King's County," by the Bev. Sterling deCourcy
Williams, m.a. (Illustrated by lantern slides.)
The Society then adjourned until Tuesday, 28th November, 1899.
PROCEEDINGS.
439
TUESDAY, 28th NOVEMBER, 1899.
An Evening Meeting of the Society was held at the Society's Rooms,
6, St. Stephen' s-green, Dublin, on Tuesday, 28th November, at 8.15
o'clock, p.m. ;
Thomas Dkew, Esq., r.h.a., Vice-President, in the Chair.
Lantern Slides, illustrating the Society's Tour in Scotland, from
Photographs taken by Mrs. Shackleton and others, were exhibited
and described by Mr. Westropp.
The following Paper was read, and referred to the Council for
publication : —
il The Antiquities of Inchcleraun in Lough Ree, Co. Longford," by F. J. Bigger,
m.r.i. a. (Illustrated by lantern slides.)
The following Papers were taken as read, and referred to the
Council for publication : — *
" Monkstown Castle, near Dublin, and its History," by F. Ellington Ball, m.r.i. a.
"New Readings of tbe Drumlogban Ogam -stones," by Principal Rhys, ll.d.
The Society then adjourned until the Annual Meeting in January.
CORRIGENDA.
Page 11, line 16 of note, for " Attagh," read "Magh."
,, 46, line 22, for " Righerewn," read " Rig bereim " ; line 23, for " nderna-
dacumdach," read "ndernadda cumdacb." [N.B. — In the original Irish
text from the " Book of Durrow" (given on page 46), there are many
peculiarities in the use of capital letters, divisions of the words, and
spelling. The caligraphy is pei'fectly distinct.]
INDEX.
Abbeys : see Monasteries.
Abbots, Pictish, at Durrow, 219 ; of
Holycross, 30 ; of O'Dorney, 431.
"Adam and Eve stone," 126.
Adlercron, Lieut. -Gen. (1766), 235.
Aengbus Cinnathraeb (c. 430), 245.
Aenghus, son of Huamore (first century),
66, 375.
Agbaward, Longford, 67.
Aidan, St., 432.
Alexander, James, ofRaphoe (1681), 408.
Alms dishes, 292.
Amber beads, 413.
America, Irish settlers, 412.
Anderson, J., 149.
Annadown, Bishop of, 418.
Antiquaries, Royal Society of Ireland ;
new rooms, 83 : see Proceedings ;
Museum, 132.
Antrim county, 121 ; old account, 429.
Apples, legend, 229.
Aran Isles (Gal way), 10, 11, 66.
Arch geological Institute of Great Britain
and Ireland, Royal ; congress, 425.
Archbishops of Dublin, 1, 100-101,
105.
Archer, family, 28-31.
Ardchain, Tiree, 192.
Ardes, barony of (temp. "William III.),
429.
Ardfert Friary, 430.
Argyll, Duke of, his grant of Iona, 317.
Armagh, visited, 365 ; old account, 429.
Armoy, Antrim, 121.
Arms : see Heraldic arms.
Assaroe, name of, 24.
Athenry, Gal way, 109.
Atkinson, E. D., 77.
Augustinians, 133.
Auk, great, bones of, 161.
Aulaff, a Danish king, 97.
Baine, a fairy, 23.
Bairche's ben, 26.
Ball, Francis Elrington, Fellow, 81 ;
papers, 93, 233, 436.
Ballinastragh, Wexford, 405.
Ballykinvarga, Clare, 384.
Bally mount, Duhlin, 98.
Ballynilard, Tipperary, 429, 430.
Ballyvourney, Cork, 415-416.
Baptism disturbed (1678), 410.
Barnaneely, Devil's Bit, 431.
Barnewall, 96.
Barrow river, name, 23 ; canoe found in,
406.
Basin stones, 404, 405.
Baur cromlechs, Co. Clare, 369.
Bawnawla, St., 254.
Becan, St., 259.
Beg Erin pilgrimages (c. 1695), 429.
Belfast, Society meets at, 349, 351.
Belgard, Dublin, 98.
Bell, silver, 223 ; notes on ancient,
437.
Bennett, Richard, 75.
Beranger, Gabriel, his notes, 97, 105.
Berneen, Clare, 380, 381.
Berry, Henry, 72.
Bibliography of Scotcb tour, 144.
Bicknor, Archbishop, 100.
Birds, satirical, 25.
Birmaqui ogam, 399.
Black, Charles, 11 ; Fellow, 81, 92.
Blackstairs, or Knock Branduff, 431.
Blanaid, wife of Curoi, 6.
Books presented to Society, 87 ; minute
of presbytery of Laggan, 407 notices
of, 72, 263, 433 ; Commonplace, relat-
ing to Ireland, 429 ; of Durrow, 46.
Boro river, 431.
Breinter Fermacach, Clare, 244.
Brenanstown, Dublin, 243.
Brereton, R. W., 61.
Biochs in Scotland, 207, 296, 301.
Brogar stone circles, Orkneys, 280.
Bronze, sword, 89 ; caldron, 256.
Buckley, M. J. C, 420.
Buick, Rev. G., 149, 324.
Bulkeley, William (1735), 56, 105.
Bull bait in Kilkenny, 31.
Bullan, Co. Wexford, 404, 405.
Burren, county Clare, prehistoric remains
of, 366, 384.
Byrne : see O' Byrne.
442
INDEX.
Cabers, or stone forts, 367, 384 ; on cliffs,
377; Caheranardurrish, Clare, 378,380;
Canercashlaun, Clare, 377 ; Cahereom-
maun, Clare, 383 ; Caherconnell, Clare,
374, 375 ; Caherconree, Kerry, 5-17.
Cahercuttine, Clare, 383 ; Caherlisan-
anima, Clare, 371; Caherlisaniska,
Clare, 371 ; Caherliscolmanvara, Clare,
370 ; Caherlisnanroum, Clare, 370 ;
Cahernamweela, Clare, 378.
Cairan, Ogam, Meath, 426.
Cairns, 367-369, 381.
Caithness, Scotland, brochs in, 296, 301.
Caldron, bronze, 256-257.
Callernish stone circles, Scotland, 268,
330-333.
Canna Island, Hebrides, 198.
Canoe found in Barrow, 406.
Carmaig, St., church of, Eilean Mdr, 303,
344.
Carnbower cairn, 381.
Carran, Clare; prehistoric remains, 381,
384.
Carrique family, 64-65.
Carvings, prehistoric, 260-261.
Cashel on Slievenacalliagh, 257.
Casblaungar fort, Clare, 383.
Castlebernard, King's County, 438.
Castlemartyr, mace of, 264 ; gold found,
414.
Castles, 95, 98, 201, 320, 340.
" Cathedral Builders," 434.
Cathedrals, Armagh, 365.
Clonfert, 425.
Dublin, 1, 133.
lona, 317.
Kirkwall, 287.
Cattle folk-lore, 26.
Cavan county, ogams, 390.
Caves of Kilcorney, 367, 368 : see also
souterrains.
Celt found, 404.
Cennatbrach, hill over Inchiquin Lake,
Clare, 245.
Cera, St., 66.
Chafing dish, 89.
Chalice regilt, 93 ; Archer, 29 ; gold, 429.
Charity, how collected (1680), 409.
Charlemont, Lord, 234.
Charter vesting lona Cathedral in Trus-
tees, 317.
Chess in Ireland, 127.
Chichester, family epitaph, 428.
Chimney-piece, uldbawri, 105.
Christie, li. W., 259.
Churches ancient, 99, 101, 302-303, 336,
345.
Cingdorn, Curoi's builder, 11.
Circles of stones : Clare, 381 ; Scotland,
268, 269.
Cists, 99, 380 ; burial, 383 ; double, 369,
370; Ballynastragh, 405.
Clare county, 127, 224 ; forts, number of,
383 ; old account, 429.
Clare, county, photographs of, 62.
Prehistoric remains, 367, 384.
Clochauns, 329-332.
Cloister arcade, 166.
Clondalkin, Dublin, 93, 96.
Clonfert Cathedral restorations, 426.
Clonmacnoise, monumental slabs, list of,
116-120.
family fights with Durrow, 230.
Clonsillagh crannoge, Wexford, 405.
Cloyne, Cork, gold ornaments, 413.
Cochrane, Robert, 390, 426
Coffey, George, lecture, 92.
Coillabotas ogam, 402.
Coll Island, Scotland, 196.
Colonsay Island, Scotland, 161.
Columba, St., pillow-stone, 150, 173,
219.
Comacine Guild of Masons, 434.
Comyn, John, Archbishop of Dublin, 1 ;
of Clare, 368.
Connal Cearnach, 6.
Connaught, kings of, 133; old accounts
of, 428.
54 Connogh " worn, 429.
Connor ogams, 349.
Coolnatullagh, Clare, 382.
Cooke, J., 149.
Corb ogam, 390, 391, 402.
Cork, mace of, 264 ; gold ornaments,
found at Cloyne, 413; silver collar
presented by Queen Elizabeth, 415 ;
old account of, 429.
Corn milling, history of, 75.
Corp Naomh shrine, 35-37, 420.
Coskeam hill and fort, Clare, 381.
Covagni ogam, 427.
Cragballyconoal, Clare, 371-373.
Crannoge, stone, 32 ; Clonsillagh, Wex-
ford, 404.
Cratloe, Clare, rent, 262.
Creganeanagh, Clare, 381.
Crimthann, Arclrigh (fourth century),
245.
Crofters' cottages, 319, 331, 334.
Croker, T. Crolton, quoted, 413.
Cromlechs, Antrim, 353, 355 ; Clare, 368,
382; Dublin, 105 ; Mayo, 62 ; Stennis,
Orkney, 281 ; Marks of hammer on,
372.
Cromwell, Henry, his house, in Dublin,
57.
Crosses high, 133, 244 ; Moone, 385, 389 ;
Scottish, 152, 153, 154, 159, 168, 170,
171, 179, 187, 191, 199, 200, 275, 309,
343, 345 ; Patrick's crosses, 35, 43, 420 ;
rude-stone, 373; incised, 117, 120.
Crowe family, Clare, 244, 246.
Croxden, Annals of, 417.
Crozier of Durrow, 50.
Crumlin, Dublin, 93.
Cryptic, element in ogams, 52.
Cuchullin, 6, 20.
Cullinan family, Clare : see O'Cullinan.
INDEX.
Cumniian, Paschal letter, 45.
Cunacenaand Cunalegea ogam, 396.
Cup of Dunvegan (1493), 207, 321,
322.
Curoi mac Daire, 5.
Cursitor, James W., 136, 280, 341.
Dalkey, in, 760, 240.
Danes: see Norsemen.
Day, Robert, 413.
Dea : see O'Dea.
Deagus ogam, 401.
Deelin, Clare, 374.
Denaveca ogam, 400.
Deer, red, antlers, 406.
Delvin, near Malahide, Dublin, 24.
Derbrenn's swine, 26.
Derrymore, Tulla, Clare, 370.
De Verdon : see Verdon.
Dindsenchas, Notes on the Rennes copy,
21.
Disc, gold, 415, 437.
Dix, E. R. M'C, 61 ; on Castles of
Dublin, 97, 125, 127.
Dolmens : see Cromlechs.
Dolphin family, 93.
Donaghcloney, 77.
Donegal, old account, 429.
Down County, 360 ; old accounts, 429 ;
Ardes, 428.
Doyle, Rev. R. B., Fellow, 82.
Dragon, carving of, 284.
Drew, Robert, his repentance, 412 ;
Thomas, 1, 90, 91, 438, 439.
Drimnagh, Dublin, 95.
Drumbo, Antrim, 356, 359.
Drumloghan, ogams, 390, 436.
Dubhthach Ua Lugair, territory, 404.
Dublin, county excursion, 93 ; Monks-
town, 233, 243 ; castle, 429.
Dublin city : Cathedral of St. Patrick
de Insula, 1 ; Christ Church Cathedral,
133 ; city in 1735, 56 ; Cromwell's
House, 57 ; Guild of Merchants (1438,
16, 11), 435 ; Liberty of St. Sepulchre,
Moira House, 113 ; Meetings of Society
at, 80-88, 129, 133, 437-8 ; Old houses,
photographs, 62 ; Swords of, 264 ;
Well of St. Patrick, 3.
Dun Aenghus, Aran, 66, 67.
Dun Carloway Broch, Scotland, 270, 271,
334.
Dun Cearnmna, Old Head of Kinsale,
6.
Dun Crimthann, Howth, 27.
Dun Domhnuill, Scotland, 163.
Dunleary (in 1760), 239.
Dunvegan Castle, Skye, 201, 320.
Durrow, Termon of, King's County, 44,
51, 219.
Book of, 44.
Dysert O'Dea, Clare, cross, 246,
256.
Eanty forts, Co. Clare, 367, 370, 371.
Earthquake, supposed, 106.
Earthworks, 67, 346 : see also Raths.
Ecclesiological notes, 420.
Egilsha, Orkneys, round tower, 293.
Eilean M6r, Argyllshire, 302, 343.
Eilean M6r : see Flannan Isles.
Elizabeth, Queen, gives silver collar to
Mayor of Cork, 415.
Elk, Irish, 406.
Ellington, Robert (1760), 239.
Elton, John, 75.
Emania, Armagh, visited by R.S.A.I.,
365.
Ennis, Clare, old account, 429.
Enniscorthy, History of, 263.
Erne, Lough, name, 23.
Esmonde, Sir T. H., 404,406; family,
429.
Espinasse family, 243.
Evans, Edward, on old Dublin houses,
114.
Excursions, 133, 266, 438.
Fairs, anciently held at chief's graves, 369.
ffrench, Canon J. F. M., 90.
Fieragh, Patrick (1715), 103.
Finan, anchorite, 231.
FingLis, Kerry, 5-6.
Fires lit on cromlechs, 370.
Fitz Gerald, Walter Reagh, 91.
Lord Walter, 385, 389.
George, opens cist, 383.
Fitz Maurice, 430.
Flannan, St., of Killaloe, 266.
Flannan Isles, Scotland, 266, 328, 332.
Flood, W. II. Grattan, 263, 419, 430-2.
Floraville Tower, Dublin, 97.
Fogerty, Dr. George, 5, 12, 61.
Ford, Rev. Roger (1725), 94.
Fore, antiquities of, 90.
Forts: see Brochs, Cahers, Duns, Raths.
on heights, 10, 32, 367 ; cliff, 377.
Frazer, Dr. William, 35 ; notice of his
death, in Preface, vi, vii.
Freemasons, 436.
Gaelic words, 139.
Gallans near Saggart, 125.
Galleys, carvings of, 172, 173.
Galway county, 62, 66 : see also Aran.
Garracloon, Clare, 380.
Garriduff Lough, burst of waters from
(1691), 429.
Garstin, John Ribton, 110, 263.
Garvey, M. P., 61.
Gateways of forts, 371, 373, 375.
Gaulish forts, 377.
Giant's Causeway, 349.
Giant's Ring, Down, 353.
Gibson, Andrew, Fellow, 351.
Gigha Island, Scotland, 305, 345.
Gilbert, Sir John, death, 89.
Glen Fas, Kerry, 5.
444
INDEX.
Gleninshen, Clare, 380.
Glenquin, Clare, 383.
Glensleade, Clare, 368, 375.
Gold, antiquities of, 39, 41 ; ornaments
found at Cloyne, 413-416 ; discs, 415,
437 ; Chalice, 429.
Gouldig mhor, North Eona, 273.
Gowran, excursion to, 438.
Graves, Rt. Rev. Charles, Bishop of
Limerick, notice of his death, in Pre-
face, v, vi.
Rev. James, 109.
Grey Ahbey, Down, 360, 365.
Guilds, Masons', 434.
Merchants', 438.
Haco. King, 389.
Hakked family (1528), 30.
Hammer stones, 428.
Handcock, G. H.,,61.
Harris, Island of, 213.
Heany, Rev. J. (1742), 235.
Hebrides, 213.
Hehir : see O'Hehir.
Hen, legend of Eairche's, 26.
Heraldic Arms, 31.
Hewson, Canon, 438.
_. Col. John (1649), 438.
Hickson, Miss, 18, 62, 430 ; notice of
death in Preface, iv.
Hoadley, Archbishop of Dublin, 100, 101.
Hogan family, 368.
Holycross, Abbot of, 30.
Holy well : see Well.
Horn of Dunvegan, 210.
Horses, headless, 105.
Howard (O'Huire), 244.
Howth, 25, 27.
Hoy, Orkneys, 337.
Hughes, Hugh (1735), 57.
Lichiquin, Lake, Clare. 245.
Index to Prerogative Wills, Dublin, 74.
Iniscleraun, antiquities, 439.
Interlacings in Italy and Ireland, 435.
Iona, Scotland, papers on, 133, 173, 315.
Ireland, Commonplace book relating to,
429.
Ireland's Eye, 25.
Irish Channel (1735), 56-60.
" Island of Truth," 24.
Islay, Island of, 152-154.
Jerpoint Abbey visited, 438.
Jerusalem farers, 278.
■ ■ walls, building of, 103.
John (King), legacy of his heart, 417.
Kearney, Fras. E., Fellow, 81.
Keiss, Scotland, 296, 301, 338, 340, 342.
Kerry, 5-18 ; photographs, 62, 430.
Kilbride, Tiree, 192.
Kilchattan Eligha, 305, 306.
Kilchennich, Tiree, 194.
Kilcorney, Clare, 367, 368.
Kildare county, old account, 429.
Kildalton Islay, 154, 309.
Kilkenny Well and Rothe's House, 30-31 .
■ — Museum, 132 ; meetings, 437.
Killala, Bishop of, and Presbyterians, 409.
Killaloe, St. Flannan of, 266.
Killarnerin, Wexford, 405.
Killelton, Kerry, 64.
Kill of the Grange, Dublin, 243.
Kilmakilloge, Kerry, 20, 90.
Kilmoluag, 194.
King's County, 44, 65, 116, 219.
Kinsale, weakness of (1695), 429.
Kirkapoll, Tiree, 193.'
Kirker, S. K., 121, 125.
Kirkwall, Orkneys, 287, 341.
Knock Branduff, 431.
Lacy, Hugh de, 226.
Laggan, minutes of presbytery, 407.
Laisren, Abbot, of Durrow, 222, 225.
Lake-dwellings, stone, 32.
Langrishe, Richard, 426.
Larcede ogam, 396.
Latimer, Rev. W. T., 407.
Layard, Col. Edgar L., 32.
Lecky, Robert, 413.
Legends, 21-27, 254.
Leitrim county, old account of, 429.
Liberties of St. Sepulchre, 1.
Limerick county, 62 ; oily dew, 429 ; old
account of, 429.
city mace, 263, 264.
Lisananima, Clare, 371.
Lisgoogan, Clare, 380.
Lissylisheen Castle, Clare, 369.
Litus ogam, 394.
Loftus, Archbishop Adam, 96, 100, 100;
Henry, 240.
Londonderry, 264.
Longford county, 62, 67, 256.
"Losset," St. Mollroonev's, 102.
Lough Cullin, Mayo, 32/
Lough Gariduff, 429.
Lough Neagh hot springs, 429.
Louth county, de Verdon of, 419.
Lucan, Dublin, 428.
Lugad Mean, conqueror of Thomond, 245.
Lynch, P., 5, 375.
Lysaght family, 369.
Macalister, Robert A. S., 52, 92, 116.
Macan, Arthur V., Fellow, 81.
Maces of corporations, 109, 263.
MacEnchroe (Crowe), 244, 246.
Mac Geoghegan, 48, 50.
Machotus, St., or Mochua, 97.
INDEX.
445
Mackenzie, F., 412.
Macleod of Macleod, 201, 203 ; of Harris,
213, 215.
Macnamara, of Burren, 368.
George U., 244, 382.
MacNeill, of Oronsay, 313.
Maelruin, St., or Mollrooney, 99.
Maeshowe Tumulus, Orkneys, 277,
339.
Magenis, of Clanconnell, 77.
Magh Mell, 24.
Magic Folklore, 24.
"Magic" Steamship, 135, 148.
Magnetic mountain, Canna, 199.
Maguire cup (1493), 207.
Malpas, of Dublin, 240, 242.
Manumagu ogam, 390.
Marshall, Hon. Robert, 237.
Massy, of Duntrileague, 241.
Maumenorig ogam, 54, 55.
Maunsell, Edward, 243.
Mayne, T., 61.
Mayo county, 32, 62-63.
Meatb county, 349, 366, 425, 428.
Meche, son of the Murrigan, 23.
Merchants, guild of (1438), 435.
Milkernagh, Longford, 256.
Milligan, Miss A., 78.
SeatonF., 150.
Mills and Milling, 341.
Millstones and hand-querns, 341, 405.
Mochuda ogam, 390.
Moenmagh (near Loughrea), 26, 27.
Moheramoylan, Clare, 384.
Moira House, Dublin, 113-116.
Molua, St., of Killaloe, visits Orkneys,
267.
Monasterboice Cross correspondence, 68-
71.
Monasteries, 31, 133, 166, 360. _
Monkstown, Dublin, some residents of,
233, 243, 439.
Monogram, 31.
Monsters folklore, 23.
Moone cross, Kildare, 385.
Morgan, A. P., 430.
" Morses," 420-422.
Mote, 99.
Mound enclosures, 220.
Mount Venus, Dublin, 105.
Mullach, Clare, 384.
Munnu, St., 66.
Murechtach, tomb of, 170.
Murphy, Ed. (1766), 234.
Neile, Wm. (1471), 97.
Neta Segamon ogam, 399.
New Ross, 429.
Ninian, St., his church at Sanda, 152.
Norsemen, 97, 151, 173, 191.
North Rona : see Rona.
Notes Ecclesiological, 420.
Notes from the Dindsenchas, 21.
Notes on Archer chalice, 28.
Nuns and convents, 176.
Nybster Caithness, Broch at, 342.
O'Brien, 368.
O'Byrne, 242, 432.
O' Conor Don, 88.
O' Conor, Roderic, 97.
O'Cullinan, 368.
O'Dea, 244, 247.
Odorney, Abbot of, Kerry, 431.
Ogams, 52, 262, 347, 349, 390, 402, 426,
427.
Ogilby, Master of the Revels, 108.
O'Griffy, 244, 246.
O'Hehir, 245.
O'Huire : see Howard,
Old Bawn, Dublin, 103.
O'Loughlen, 368.
Omagh, 411, 412, 433.
O'Meara, Barry, 432.
O'Neill, Baron of Dungannon, 39.
O'Neylan, 368.
O'Quin, 244, 246.
Oratories, 266, 274, 328, 332.
O'Reilly, 81, 133, 149.
Orkney Islands, 277, 338.
Oronsay, Scotland, 161, 313, 314.
Orphir Round Church, Orkneys, 287.
O'Shea, 20.
O'Siosta (O'Shea?), 20.
" Overture " among Presbyterians, 409.
Pallas, Wexford, celt found, 404.
Parknabinnia, Clare, 384.
Parliament, earliest Irish, 418.
Patrick's crosses, 35-43, 420.
Patrick's Purgatory, old account, 429.
Patrickstown, Meath, 428.
Peacock of Limerick, 429.
" Pendicle," meaning of, 411.
Pentland, G. H., 70.
Philips, J. J., 149, 360.
Photographic collection, 51, 128.
Phuca, 373.
Piasts, 23.
Pictish Abbots of Durrow, 219.
Pillar-stones, 221, 268-269.
Plans, 13, 123, 154, 164, 176, 180, 185,
232, 285, 287, 332, 333, 361, 369, 372,
374, 376, 381.
Plays in Dublin, 59.
Plunkett, Col. G. T., 69.
T. 89.
" Poll " in place-names, 191-193.
Pomona, Orkneys, 285.
Postal arrangement (1676), 410.
Poulaphuca cromlech, 373-374.
Poulawack, Clare — -cairn, 369.
Poulbawn, Clare— fort, 373.
Poulgorm, Clare, 378.
Poulnabrone, Clare — cromlech, 375, 379.
446
INDEX.
Presbyterian Church, 407, 433.
Proceedings, 80, 129, 266, 351, 437.
Querasa ogam, 402.
Querns, 341.
Quin : see O'Quin.
Ralphson, Win. (1766), 238.
Eamsay, M. G., letter, 424.
Ranelagh, Viscount (1766), 238.
Pannagh, Clare, 381, 382.
Paths, 67.
Rathblamaic, Clare, 254.
Pathborney, Clare, 380, 381.
Pathcroghan, 429.
Pathfarnham, Dublin, 106.
Pawdon, Geo. (1641), 114.
Records, Committee on preservation of,
424.
Reeves, Bishop, manuscripts, 265.
Register of ancient Dublin wills, 72.
Pelig Oran, 182.
Rent of a rose, 259, 262.
Rhys, Principal, 8, 346-390, 426-427.
Robertson, J. G., 28.
Roche, Maurice (157), 415.
Podil in Hebrides, 213, 216.
Rognwald, Earl (1138), 288.
Rona, Island of North, Scotland, 272,
334, 335.
Ronan, St., 275.
Roscommon Co., old account of, 429.
Rose paid in rent, 259, 262.
Posengrave, P. (1766), 239.
Rosgrencha : see Durrow.
Rotheram, E. C, 259, 261, 428, 429.
Roughan fort, Clare, 383.
Pound Towers, 96, 121, 294, 356, 436.
Rowan-tree, 25.
Runic inscriptions, Maeshowe, 284.
Sabbath, broken by wife-beating, 407.
Saggart, Dublin, gallan, 125.
Saints, figures of, 29.
St. Clair of Orkney, 293.
Sanda Island, Scotland, 151.
Satirical birds, 25.
Scota, Queen, 6.
Scotland, voyage round, 85, 133, 140 ;
committee, 143; settlers from (1673),
410.
Scott, Leader, 434.
Seal of Durrow, 51 ; of Athenry, 109.
Shackleton, Mrs., 61, 439.
Shadow folk-lore, 25.
Sheelanagig, 214, 218, 326, 327.
Shell mounds, 161.
Sbenaghan, St., 153.
Sidh, elf-mound, 20.
Silver plate, 28 ; Cork, 413 ; collar, 415.
Skulls, burials of, 125.
Skye Island, 201.
Slan, well of, Mayo, 133.
Slieve Carran, 381.
Slieve Mish, Kerry, 5, 12, 24.
Slieve-na-Calliagh, 259.
Soroby, Tiree, 188.
Souterrains, 372.
Stennis, circles of stones, Orkneys, 280.
Stokes, Rev. Dr. George, his death, 82 ;
Papers by, 111, 113.
Stromness, Orkneys, 338, 341.
Suidhe Mochuda Ogam, 262.
Sula Sgier, or North Barra, 275.
Swedish dolmens, 370.
Swift, Dean Jonathan, 111.
Swiftiana, 111.
Swine folk-lore, 26.
Swords, bronze, 89 ; corporation, 264.
Synge, Colonel, repairs cross, 247.
Tailzior, Rev. James, 419.
Talbot, Colonel J. (1697), 103.
Sir John, Seneschal of Ireland,
419.
Tallaght, Dublin, 92, 99.
History of, 436.
Tara, defacement of, 352.
Teeskagh, Clare, cairn, 383.
Tenia, lord of, 219.
Temple Oran, Iona, 174, 180.
Temple Ronan : see Rona.
Termon of Durrow, 219, 232.
Tenison, C. M., 432.
Teulon, Mr., of Cork, 413.
Thomas, Archdeacon, 324.
William J., 257.
Tihilly, King's County, 65.
Tipperary, 258, 429.
Tiree, Scotland, 188, 319.
Tohergrania, Clare, 127.
Tober Iosa, Co. Tipperary, 258.
Tobernahalthora, Mayo, 63, 127.
Tola, St., of Dysert O'Dea, 249, 250,
252.
Tombstones, 116, 120, 193, 211, 212;
canopied, 216.
Totra ogam, 401.
Trail, William (1681), 403.
Treasure dreams, 880.
Trees, ancient, folk-lore, 27.
Tristernagh, Westmeath, 35.
Tullaherin, visit to, 438.
Tumuli, 277, 239.
Tuosist, 19.
Turks, Irish prisoners takenby, 409, 433.
Turlough, Clare, 373, 374, 381.
TJi Fermaic, Clare, crosses of, 244.
Ulster parish, history, 77 ; Synod of
Presbyterian Church, 433, 434.
Upton, H. A. S., Fellow, 81, 256.
Usher, Archbishop, 3, 4.
INDEX.
447
Vallancey, General, 238.
"Vanessa," will of, 237.
Vequoana Ogam, 402.
Vercingetorix, outworks made by, 377.
Verdon family, 417, 419, 437.
Vestments, ecclesiastical, 420-422.
Vicars, Sir A., 74.
Vierpyle, Simon (1766), 234.
Wakeman, W. F., 109.
Walnut-tree at Tallaght, 101.
Waterford, 262.
Water-mill, 75.
Wells, holy, 3, 30, 31, 228, 258.
Westmeath, 35, 259, 429.
Westropp, T. J., 21, 61, 66, 128, 333,
367, 429, 439.
Wexford, crannoge, 92, 404, 429.
Whale fulk-lore, 23.
Willes, Edward, Chief Baron (1766),
235.
Williams, Rev. S. de C, 4 4, 65-69,
219.
Wills, Register of Dublin, mediaeval, 73;
later prerogative, 74.
Wilson, J. Mackay, 67, 68.
Windele, John, 8,' 415.
Wolfe Tone, Theobald, 78.
Woodward, Rev. G. Otway, 89.
Wright, E. P., Vice-President, SO, 129,
437.
end of vol. ix., fifth series.
Printed at The Univkrsity Pkkss, Dublin.
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